Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services if you or another person has:
Confusion, collapse, or increasing difficulty waking
A seizure
New weakness, trouble speaking, or unusual behaviour
Severe breathing difficulty
Rapidly worsening symptoms
A dark red or purple rash that does not fade when pressed
Severe illness in a baby, including poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, floppiness, or a bulging soft spot
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Get urgent medical assessment for a new combination of severe headache, fever, neck stiffness, vomiting, or marked sensitivity to light.
Do not wait for every typical symptom to appear or for a rash to develop.
After diagnosis, seek urgent reassessment if symptoms worsen, fever returns, vomiting prevents fluids from staying down, or new neurological symptoms appear.
And for anyone, someone who:
has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine follow-up is appropriate for recovery concerns that are stable rather than worsening, such as lingering fatigue, mild headaches, sleep disruption, or difficulty returning to work or school.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Viral meningitis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.