In children, some emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• High or prolonged fever
• Fast breathing or difficulty breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Refusing to drink water or other fluids
• Change in mental status, such as not waking up or not interacting; being so irritable that the child does not want to be held; or seizures
• Change in mental status, such as not waking up or not interacting; being so irritable that the child does not want to be held; or seizures
• Worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions (for example, heart or lung disease, diabetes)

In adults, some emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• High or prolonged fever
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Near-fainting or fainting
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Seek medical care immediately, either by calling your doctor or going to an emergency room, if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the signs described above or other unusually severe symptoms.

When you arrive, tell the receptionist or nurse about your symptoms.