When You Should Call a Doctor
You should call a doctor if someone:
- Has a fever that lasts more than 3 days.
- Has a fever or cough that goes away for 24 hours or more and than returns.
- Has a fever with a stiff neck, a very bad headache, a severe sore throat, an earache or a rash.
- Has less pee or dark pee.
- Has green, brown-colored or bloody mucus that comes up when they cough.
- Has severe vomiting or vomits for a long time.
- Has difficulty drinking or taking a bottle.
- Is very fussy or sleepy (infants and children).
- Has any other unusual symptoms or concerns.
- Has not gotten better after a week.
If you are pregnant or if you have a health problem like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, it is important to call your doctor when the first flu symptoms appear. Your health condition could be made worse by the flu.
Call 911 for an emergency if someone:
- Is having trouble breathing – breathing is very fast, difficult or painful.
- Is having chest pain.
- Is confused or unaware of their surrounding.
- Is unable to wake up.
- Has changes in their speech or speaks in a way you can’t understand.
- Can’t walk or sit up.
- Has skin that is bluish or gray in color.
- Has a seizure (uncontrolled twitching or shaking).
