Do you think that you have had a seizure?
How old are you?
6 years or younger
6 years or younger
7 to 11 years
7 to 11 years
12 to 55 years
12 to 55 years
56 years or older
56 years or older
Are you male or female?
- If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
- If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
- If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.
Did your child have a seizure while he or she had a fever?
Yes
Fever at time of seizure
No
Fever at time of seizure
Do you have symptoms of a serious illness?
Yes
Symptoms of serious illness
No
Symptoms of serious illness
Do you have a severe headache that started suddenly and is the worst headache of your life?
This probably would not be like any headache you have had before.
Yes
Sudden, severe headache
No
Sudden, severe headache
Did the seizure occur after you swallowed something poisonous, drank a lot of alcohol, or used illegal drugs?
Yes
Possible poisoning or overdose
No
Possible poisoning or overdose
Are you pregnant?
Yes, you know that you're pregnant.
Pregnancy
No, you're not pregnant, or you're not sure if you're pregnant.
Pregnancy
Are you more than 20 weeks pregnant?
Yes
More than 20 weeks pregnant
No
More than 20 weeks pregnant
Do you think the seizure might have been caused by a problem with your blood sugar?
Seizures can sometimes occur if blood sugar gets too high or too low.
Yes
Diabetes may be causing seizure
No
Diabetes may be causing seizure
Do you have epilepsy or a history of seizures?
Yes
Epilepsy or history of seizures
No
Epilepsy or history of seizures
Was this a typical seizure for you?
Do you feel like you are returning to normal the way you usually do after a seizure?
You probably know what is typical for you right after a seizure ends. Think about whether this time seems different.
Yes
Typical return to normal after seizure
No
Typical return to normal after seizure
Have you been having seizures more often than usual or having different seizures than what you are used to?
Yes
Increase in number or change in type of seizures
No
Increase in number or change in type of seizures
Have you returned to normal, other than maybe feeling tired or a little sore?
Yes
Returned to normal after seizure
No
Returned to normal after seizure
Did the seizure occur within the past 2 hours?
Yes
Seizure occurred within past 2 hours
No
Seizure occurred more than 2 hours ago
Have you returned to normal, other than maybe feeling tired or a little sore?
Yes
Returned to normal after seizure
No
Returned to normal after seizure
Did the seizure occur less than 24 hours ago?
Yes
Seizure occurred less than 24 hours ago
No
Seizure occurred less than 24 hours ago
Did the seizure occur after a head injury?
Yes
Seizure occurred after head injury
No
Seizure occurred after head injury
Are you having any strange symptoms that you think could be a seizure?
These could include things like jerking, twitching, or repeated movements that you can't explain, or short periods (2 to 30 seconds) when you are not aware and cannot respond or when you feel less alert or awake for no reason.
Yes
Possible seizure symptoms
No
Possible seizure symptoms
Did these symptoms occur less than 24 hours ago?
Yes
Possible seizure symptoms less than 24 hours ago
No
Possible seizure symptoms less than 24 hours ago
Do you have any other concerns about seizures?
Yes
Other seizure concerns
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:
- Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
- Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
- Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
- Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
- Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home Treatment
You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
- Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
- Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.
Neurological symptoms—which may be signs of a problem with the nervous system—can affect many body functions. Symptoms may include:
- Numbness, weakness, or lack of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Trouble speaking.
- Confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
- Problems with balance or coordination (for example, falling down or dropping things).
- Seizures.
Symptoms of serious illness may include:
- A severe headache.
- A stiff neck.
- Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert.
- Extreme fatigue (to the point where it's hard for you to function).
- Shaking chills.
Symptoms of serious illness in a baby may include the following:
- The baby is limp and floppy like a rag doll.
- The baby doesn't respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to.
- The baby is hard to wake up.
Make an Appointment
Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
- Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
- If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
- If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.
Call 911 Now
Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Call 911 or other emergency services now.
Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.
Seek Care Now
Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
- Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour.
- You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Seek Care Today
Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.
- Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
- If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
- If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.
Fever Seizures
