Should I Go to the Emergency Room?

If you have a serious injury or illness, or a life-threatening condition, such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke, unconsciousness, etc., call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below is a list of other emergency symptoms and conditions that need to be treated in an ER.

Emergency Symptoms

  • Signs of heart attack (e.g. chest pain lasting longer than two minutes)
  • Signs of stroke (e.g. sudden numbness, confusion, loss of vision)
  • Vomiting or coughing up blood
  • Traumatic head injury
  • Compound fracture (bone protrudes through skin)
  • Severe, sudden headache
  • Sudden dizziness, weakness, or loss of balance
  • Suspected poisoning
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Seizures
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Snake bite
  • Shock
  • Severe burns
  • Uncontrollable bleeding
  • Unexplained drowsiness or disorientation
  • High fever (104° or higher for a child; 101° or higher for an infant)
  • IF YOU’RE UNSURE, HEAD TO THE ER!