Which Signs &
Symptoms Warrant
Seeing a Doctor?
An unusually bad cold
A change in urinary
or bowel habits
A persistent or
high fever
Unexplained
shortness of breath
New confusion
or changes in
your mood
Unexpected symptoms after starting a
new medication
or a procedure
You suspect you
have a concussion
Seeing bright
flashes of light
An unusually bad cold
It’s not always easy to know when
to go to the doctor for a cold.
If your symptoms linger or continue
to worsen, it could be a sign that
you have more than just a cold
and you may benefit from doctor-prescribed treatment or care.
Cold-like symptoms that linger
and are left untreated can also cause other health issues, such as
a sinus infection or dehydration.
A change in urinary or bowel habits
The frequency of urinating and having a bowel movement varies from person to person. But a sudden change in your own
pattern — whether urinating
more frequently or experiencing diarrhea, constipation or bloody
or black stools — can be a sign
it’s time to see a doctor.
Sudden weight loss without explanation
An unexplained drop in weight could indicate a chronic health issue.
As a general rule of thumb, if you’ve lost more than 10% of your body weight in the last six months (without trying), make an appointment with your doctor.
A persistent or high fever
A fever is one way your body naturally fights infection, so it isn’t always an immediate cause for concern. However, if you have a fever above 103˚F or a low-grade fever that lasts more than three days, call your doctor. A more serious infection could be at play.
Seek immediate medical attention if a high fever is accompanied by a severe headache, unusual skin rash, mental confusion, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, difficulty breathing or chest pain.
Unexplained shortness of breath
There are some reasonable explanations for being temporarily short of breath, including being
at high altitude, experiencing extreme temperatures or during intense exercise.
But if you have unexplained shortness of breath, let your doctor know. It could be a sign of an underlying health issue that requires treatment.
Chest, stomach or pelvic pain
Abnormal, intense and sustained pain in the chest, abdomen or pelvis can indicate an underlying issue that demands a doctor’s attention.
New confusion or changes in your mood
Your mood can certainly fluctuate, but sudden confusion or a personality change can be
a sign of an infection or drug interaction. If you have new feelings of anxiety or depression and are experiencing irregular sleep and trouble thinking or focusing, alert your doctor.
Unexpected symptoms after starting
a new medication or after a procedure
Anytime you start a new medication, get an immunization or undergo a medical procedure, ask your doctor in advance about the potential side effects you may experience.
Monitor for these and if anything out of the ordinary occurs, call your doctor’s office to see if an appointment is advised.
You suspect you have a concussion
If you’ve fallen or suffered a blow to your head, monitor yourself for the symptoms of concussion, which include:
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headache
• Irritability
• Change in sleep pattern
If any of these develop, see
your doctor immediately.
Seeing bright flashes of light
If you suffer from migraines, you may sometimes experience bright flashes or spots in your vision. Otherwise, sudden bright flashes might be a sign of a retinal detachment, a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.
Sudden weight loss without explanation
Chest, stomach
or pelvic pain
If shortness of breath is severe and comes on suddenly, seek emergency medical care.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have prolonged and severe chest pain accompanied by difficulty breathing or mental confusion, or if you have abdominal pain that is severe, unrelenting, extends to your back and causes your stomach to be painful to the touch.
