Children's Health

Are you not sure whether you lost consciousness?

Are you not able to remember what happened before or just after the injury?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have moderate bleeding that has not stopped after 15 minutes of direct pressure?

Do you have mild bleeding from the scalp that has not stopped after applying direct pressure 3 times for 15 minutes each (45 minutes total)?

Were you cut by something clean and your last tetanus shot was longer than 10 years ago?Note: Something is clean if it does not have dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. Examples include a broken water glass, a kitchen knife, or sewing scissors.

Were you cut by something dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?Note: Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. Examples include a garden tool, a dirty nail, or a piece of glass that has been buried in the dirt.

Are you not sure if you were cut by something clean or dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?

Are you not sure when you had your last tetanus shot?

Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have clear or bloody fluid draining from your ears or nose?Note: This clear or bloody drainage begins after a head injury and is not caused by a cut, direct blow to the nose, allergies, crying, or cold symptoms.

Do you have bruising or discoloration around both eyes or behind one ear?

Do you have a depression in or a deformity of the skull?

Does your child have moderate to severe swelling on the face or scalp immediately after a head injury?

Do you have drooping or numbness on one side of your face (facial palsy)?

Do you know or think you have a fever?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have you had continuous, violent vomiting for 15 minutes or longer?

Have you vomited more than 3 times in the past 6 hours?

Have you vomited in the past 24 hours?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have a severe headache?

Have you had a moderate headache that has not improved within 24 hours, but you do not have any other symptoms?

Have you had a mild headache that has not improved within 4 days after a recent head injury?

Have you had headaches on and off for 2 weeks or longer after a head injury?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Was your head injury caused by someone who was trying to hurt you?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have you had changes in your ability to think, remember, or solve problems?

Have you had changes in your ability to concentrate?

Have you had changes in your personality?

Do you have dizziness, lightheadedness, or unsteadiness that makes it hard to stand or walk (ataxia)?

Do you have blurred or double vision?

Do you have ringing in your ears or hearing loss in one or both ears?

Do you have any mild symptoms of a concussion that did not develop until 1 to 2 weeks after a head injury?

Have you had mild symptoms of a concussion for more than 4 weeks after a head injury?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.

• Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
• If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
• Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.

You do not need to answer any of the other questions.

Call your health professional today.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.

• An appointment today is usually needed.
• Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.

• If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
• If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
• Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
• Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.