Do you have a problem with memory loss, confusion, or changes in how alert you feel?
Yes
Confusion, memory loss, or altered alertness
No
Confusion, memory loss, or altered alertness
How old are you?
3 years or younger
3 years or younger
4 to 11 years
4 to 11 years
12 years or older
12 years or older
Are you male or female?
- If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
- If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
- If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.
Have you had a recent head injury?
Did you pass out completely (lose consciousness)?
If you are answering for someone else: Is the person unconscious now?
(If you are answering this question for yourself, say no.)
Are you back to your normal level of alertness?
After passing out, it's normal to feel a little confused, weak, or lightheaded when you first wake up or come to. But unless something else is wrong, these symptoms should pass pretty quickly and you should soon feel about as awake and alert as you normally do.
Yes
Has returned to normal after loss of consciousness
No
Has returned to normal after loss of consciousness
Did the loss of consciousness occur during the past 24 hours?
Yes
Loss of consciousness in past 24 hours
No
Loss of consciousness in past 24 hours
Has there been a decrease in how alert or aware you are or how well you can think and respond?
Yes
Decreased level of consciousness
No
Decreased level of consciousness
Is this something that is part of a medical problem you already have or that you have discussed with a doctor before?
Yes
Decreased level of consciousness is typical
No
Decreased level of consciousness is typical
Is the problem:
Quickly getting worse (over minutes to hours)?
Decreased level of consciousness is quickly getting worse
Slowly getting worse (over days)?
Decreased level of consciousness is slowly getting worse
Staying about the same (not better or worse)?
Decreased level of consciousness is unchanged
Getting better?
Decreased level of consciousness is improving
Is the problem:
Getting worse?
Decreased level of consciousness is getting worse
Staying the same (not better or worse)?
Decreased level of consciousness is unchanged
Getting better?
Decreased level of consciousness is improving
Do you feel or have you recently felt
confused in a way that is not normal for you?
Yes
Recent episode of confusion
No
Recent episode of confusion
Are you having
trouble breathing (more than a stuffy nose)?
Yes
Difficulty breathing more than a stuffy nose
No
Difficulty breathing more than a stuffy nose
Would you describe the problem as
severe, moderate, or mild?
Severe
Severe difficulty breathing
Moderate
Moderate difficulty breathing
Mild
Mild difficulty breathing
Do you think that the confusion may be caused by poisoning or by an alcohol or drug overdose?
Yes
Possible overdose or poisoning
No
Possible overdose or poisoning
Have you had muscle movements that you can't control, like twitching, shaking, or other repeated motions?
Yes
One or more episodes of unexplained, purposeless, repeated body movement
No
One or more episodes of unexplained, purposeless, repeated body movement
Do you have epilepsy or a history of seizures?
Yes
Epilepsy or history of seizures
No
Epilepsy or history of seizures
Are the symptoms you're having now different than your usual seizure symptoms?
Yes
Seizure symptoms not typical
No
Seizure symptoms not typical
Are you back to normal now and not feeling confused?
Yes
Confusion is no longer present
No
Confusion is still present
Yes
Problem with memory loss
No
Problem with memory loss
Have you had a sudden and complete loss of memory?
Yes
Sudden, complete loss of memory
No
Sudden, complete loss of memory
Do you think that a
medicine may be affecting your memory?
Think about whether the memory problems started when you began using a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine.
Yes
Memory problems may be caused by medicine
No
Memory problems may be caused by medicine
Yes
Problem with judgment or problem solving
No
Problem with judgment or problem solving
Are these symptoms new?
Yes
New problem with judgment or problem solving
No
New problem with judgment or problem solving
Are these symptoms causing problems in your daily life?
Yes
Problems with judgment or problem solving affect daily life
No
Problems with judgment or problem solving affect daily life
Have you had problems with memory loss, confusion, or alertness for more than 2 weeks?
Yes
Memory loss, confusion, or changes in alertness for more than 2 weeks
No
Memory loss, confusion, or changes in alertness for more than 2 weeks
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:
-
Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
-
Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
-
Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, herbal remedies, or supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse.
-
Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
-
Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home Treatment
You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
- Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
- Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.
Symptoms of a heart attack may include:
- Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
- Sweating.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.
- Lightheadedness or sudden weakness.
- A fast or irregular heartbeat.
For men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or pressure. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.
Problems with memory, judgment, or problem solving include things like:
- Frequently misplacing items you use often (unless you have always done this).
- Getting lost while walking or driving in a place you know well.
- Having more trouble with tasks you used to be able to do without difficulty, like balancing your checkbook or preparing a meal.
Confusion may range from mild to severe. A person who is confused may:
- Be unable to express his or her thoughts clearly.
- Have trouble solving problems and performing simple tasks.
- Express firmly held but false beliefs (delusions).
- See, hear, feel, smell, or taste things that are not really there (hallucinations or illusions).
- Believe that others want to harm him or her (paranoia).
Symptoms of a stroke may include:
- Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
- Sudden vision changes.
- Sudden trouble speaking.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
- Sudden problems with walking or balance.
- A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can affect your memory. A few examples are:
- Antidepressants.
- Antihistamines.
- Medicines for bladder control problems (anticholinergics).
Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:
- You may feel a little out of breath but still be able to talk (mild difficulty breathing), or you may be so out of breath that you cannot talk at all (severe difficulty breathing).
- It may be getting hard to breathe with activity (mild difficulty breathing), or you may have to work very hard to breathe even when you’re at rest (severe difficulty breathing).
Severe trouble breathing means:
- You cannot talk at all.
- You have to work very hard to breathe.
- You feel like you can't get enough air.
- You do not feel alert or cannot think clearly.
Moderate trouble breathing means:
- It's hard to talk in full sentences.
- It's hard to breathe with activity.
Mild trouble breathing means:
- You feel a little out of breath but can still talk.
- It's becoming hard to breathe with activity.
Seek Care Now
Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
- Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour.
- You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Seek Care Today
Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.
- Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
- If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
- If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.
Call 911 Now
Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Call 911 or other emergency services now.
Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.
Make an Appointment
Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
- Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
- If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
- If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.
Call 911 Now
Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Call 911 or other emergency services now.
After you call 911, the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength (325 mg) or 2 to 4 low-dose (81 mg) aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself.
Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.
Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger
Head Injury, Age 4 and Older