Contact the doctor right away if the following changes occur. Fever may be caused by an infection and should always be reported.
KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS UNTIL YOU ARE SATISFIED. Doctors and other health care professionals have medical know-how, but only you can explain symptoms. Report exactly, in as few words as possible, any unusual symptoms, changes in condition, and complaints the person has.
-
Breathing Issues/Cough
- Shortness of breath at rest, with activity, change in shortness of breath
- Mucus (phlegm) (amount, color, consistency, changes in amount or color, if an odor is present and if blood is present)
-
Diet
- extreme thirst
- lack of thirst
- weight loss for no reason
- loss of appetite
- pain before or after eating
- difficulty chewing or swallowing
- pain in the gums or teeth
- frequent gum infections
-
Behavior
- unusual tiredness or sleepiness
- unusual actions (arguing, fighting, anger, or withdrawal)
- seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations)
- anxiety
- increased confusion
- depression
- inappropriate or unusual emotions
-
Bowel/Bladder
- bowel movements of an odd color, texture, or amount
- feeling faint during bowel movements
- vaginal discharge (report color, odor, amount)
- draining sores or pain in the penis area
- pain when going to the bathroom (unusual color, amount, or odor)
- having to go to the bathroom frequently
- frequent bladder infections
- blood in the urine
- pain in the kidney area
-
Skin
- changes in the color of lips, nails, fingers, and toes
- odd skin (color, temperature, texture, bruises)
- unusual appearance of surgery incisions
- sudden skin rashes (bumps, itching)
- pressure sores (bedsores)
-
Bones, Muscles, and Joints
- swelling in the arms and legs or around the eyes
- twitching or movement that cannot be controlled
- tingling or numbness in hands, feet, and other parts of the body
- warm, tender joints
- redness in the joints . unusual position of arms, legs, fingers, or toes
-
Chest
- chest pain
- rapid pulse
- problems with breasts (report lumps, discharge, soreness, or draining)
- painful breathing (wheezing, shortness of breath)
- unusual cough
- unusual saliva or mucus (report color and consistency)
-
Abdomen
- stomach pain
- vomiting
-
Head
- dizziness
- headaches
- ear pain, discharge, or change in hearing
- eye pain, discharge, redness, blurry vision, or being bothered by light
- mouth sores
- nose pain (bleeding, bad odor to mucus)
