Emergency Warning Signs: When to Call 911 or Go to the ER in the Philippines

Some symptoms should not wait for a clinic appointment, online consultation, or home remedy. If a person may be seriously ill, call 911 in the Philippines or arrange immediate transport to the nearest emergency department. If the person is unconscious, severely short of breath, actively seizing, or bleeding heavily, do not leave them alone.

Breathing emergencies

  • Severe shortness of breath or inability to speak in full sentences
  • Blue, gray, or unusually pale lips or face
  • Rapidly worsening asthma symptoms or little response to a prescribed reliever inhaler
  • Choking, throat swelling, or noisy breathing after food, medicine, or an insect sting

Difficulty breathing with facial or tongue swelling may be anaphylaxis. If the person has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector, use it according to their emergency plan and call 911.

Possible heart attack

Warning signs can include chest pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or pain that may spread to the arm, back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen. Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or sudden unusual fatigue may occur. Women, older adults, and people with diabetes may have less typical symptoms. Do not drive yourself if symptoms are severe.

Possible stroke

Think FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services. Sudden vision loss, severe imbalance, confusion, or an abrupt severe headache can also occur. Note the last time the person was known well because some treatments depend on time.

Neurological emergencies

  • A first seizure, seizure lasting about five minutes or longer, repeated seizures without recovery, or seizure during pregnancy
  • Sudden confusion, inability to wake, or loss of consciousness
  • A sudden “worst-ever” headache
  • Severe headache with stiff neck, fever, rash, weakness, or repeated vomiting
  • Head injury followed by repeated vomiting, unequal pupils, worsening drowsiness, weakness, or fluid from the nose or ears

Severe bleeding or shock

Call for urgent help for uncontrolled external bleeding, vomiting blood, coughing up significant blood, black tarry stools, heavy vaginal bleeding with weakness, or suspected internal bleeding. Signs of shock include cool clammy skin, rapid breathing, confusion, faintness, and a weak rapid pulse.

Pregnancy emergencies

Urgent warning signs include severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, shoulder-tip pain, seizures, severe headache with vision changes, chest pain, breathing difficulty, or markedly reduced fetal movement later in pregnancy. Severe one-sided pain or fainting in early pregnancy can indicate ectopic pregnancy.

Poisoning and overdose

Call emergency services for suspected overdose, severe drowsiness, breathing changes, seizures, confusion, or exposure to a dangerous chemical. Do not induce vomiting unless a qualified poison professional specifically instructs you to. Bring the product container or a clear photo if it is safe to do so.

Severe dehydration or infection

Emergency signs include very little urine, inability to keep fluids down, fainting, severe weakness, confusion, rapid breathing, mottled skin, or a person who is getting worse quickly. Sepsis can begin with an infection and progress to organ failure. Trust your concern if someone appears critically ill.

Mental health crisis

Immediate help is needed when a person has attempted self-harm, has a specific suicide plan with access to means, is severely agitated or psychotic, or cannot remain safe. Remove immediate hazards only if you can do so safely, stay with the person, and contact emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.

While waiting for help

  • Follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.
  • Do not give food, drink, or pills to an unconscious or very drowsy person.
  • Place a breathing but unconscious person on their side if there is no suspected spinal injury.
  • Apply firm direct pressure to severe external bleeding with clean cloth or gauze.
  • Prepare the patient’s medicine list, allergies, identification, and key medical history if available.

Bottom line: Call 911 or go to the ER for severe breathing difficulty, possible heart attack or stroke, seizure emergencies, major bleeding, severe pregnancy symptoms, overdose, loss of consciousness, or rapidly worsening illness.

Sources

Medical note: If you are uncertain whether a symptom is an emergency and the person appears seriously ill, choose urgent in-person assessment.

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