When to Go to Emergency — IndiaSymptoms

🔴 Go to emergency immediately — call 112

These symptoms can be life-threatening. Do not drive yourself. Call 112 or have someone take you to the nearest government hospital emergency department immediately.

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Chest pain or pressureEspecially with sweating, arm pain, or difficulty breathing. Could be a heart attack.

🧠

Sudden severe headache"Worst headache of my life" — especially if sudden onset. Could be a brain bleed.

😶

Face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficultyEven for a few minutes. These are stroke signs — FAST: Face, Arm, Speech, Time.

😮‍💨

Severe difficulty breathingCan't complete a sentence, lips turning blue, gasping. Needs oxygen immediately.

🤯

Loss of consciousnessPerson cannot be woken up or is unresponsive. Call 112 immediately.

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Severe bleedingBleeding that won't stop after 10 minutes of pressure, or large volume of blood.

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Blood in vomitVomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds. Needs emergency care.

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Very high fever with confusionFever above 104°F (40°C) with confusion, stiff neck, or sensitivity to light.

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Seizure for first timeOr a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or person doesn't wake up after seizure.

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Pregnancy emergencyHeavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, baby not moving, signs of pre-eclampsia.

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Child not breathing normallyOr infant with high fever, very lethargic, or difficult to wake up.

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Snakebite or severe allergic reactionSwelling spreading rapidly, difficulty breathing, throat closing up.

Understanding severity levels on this site

🚨 Emergency — Go to hospital NOW

This condition can be life-threatening. Do not wait. Call 112 or go directly to the nearest government hospital emergency department. Do not self-medicate.

⚠️ Serious — See a doctor within 24 hours

This needs prompt medical attention. See a doctor today or first thing tomorrow morning. If symptoms worsen significantly before then, go to emergency.

ℹ️ Moderate — See a doctor within a few days

This needs medical attention but is not immediately life-threatening. Book a GP appointment. Go sooner if symptoms worsen or you're concerned.

✅ Mild — Monitor and see a doctor if it persists

This often resolves on its own with rest and basic care. See a doctor if it doesn't improve within the suggested timeframe or if you're worried.

Why Indians delay going to hospital — and why it matters

The "let's wait and see" habit costs lives

Studies show Indians often wait 2-4 hours before seeking emergency care for heart attacks, when the critical treatment window is within 1 hour. For strokes, every 30 minutes of delay causes significant brain damage. For dengue, delayed presentation makes the difference between simple hydration and ICU admission. When in doubt — go.

Common reasons people delay — not wanting to "overreact," cost concerns, distance to hospital, believing symptoms will pass. The conditions listed as Emergency on this site are ones where delay significantly worsens outcomes. Trust your instincts.

What to tell the emergency doctor

When you arrive at emergency or call 112, be ready to say:

What symptoms you or the patient has, when they started, and how quickly they got worse
Any known medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension)
Any medications currently being taken
Any recent travel, mosquito bites, or suspected food poisoning
For women of childbearing age — whether pregnancy is possible

India-specific emergency situations

Dengue warning signs: Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding from gums or nose, blood in urine or stool, rapid breathing, cold clammy skin. These are dengue shock syndrome signs — go to emergency immediately.

Heatstroke (April–June): Body temperature above 104°F, hot dry skin, confusion, unconsciousness. Cool the person with wet cloths and call 112. This is a medical emergency.

Snakebite: Keep the bitten limb still and below heart level. Remove rings/watches near the bite. Go to the nearest government hospital immediately — they have antivenom. Do not cut the wound or try to suck out venom.