What is a red flag symptom?
A red flag symptom is something abnormal about your body or mind, that may indicate something is significantly wrong.
‘Red flag’ means potentially serious (and potentially treatable). See you doctor soon (even today) if you think you have one.
There are three types:
- Acute physical health red flag symptom
- Chronic physical health red flag symptom
- Mental health red flag symptom.
Acute physical health red flag symptom
Definition. Acute symptoms = a rapid onset of symptoms that have started recently (last 24 hours), and you feel may be serious. Below are some examples of acute red flag symptoms:
- Severe chest pain
- Severe headache
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness on one side (or speech disturbance)
- High fever or feeling very cold (especially with rash).
Note. 20 red flag symptoms (including the 5 above) that may warrant a visit to A&E today are summarised here.
What should I do if I have any of these acute red flag symptoms?
If you have any of these symptoms, do not go to your GP. Go to your nearest A&E. If you are too unwell to do that, dial 999 and request an ambulance. You need to get there ideally in less than 2 hours. We are here to help you.
Chronic physical health red flag symptom
Definition. Chronic symptoms = a slower onset of symptoms that occurs over a few weeks, and you feel may be serious. Below are some examples of chronic red flag symptoms:
- Blood in urine (wee)
- Blood in faeces (poo)
- Vaginal bleeding (in a woman whose periods have stopped)
- New severe back pain or inability to walk (and/or loss of control of bowels or bladder)
- Blood in sputum (spit).
What should I do if I have any of these chronic red flag symptoms?
If you have any of these, please see your NHS GP soon (ideally the next two-to-three days) and ask to be seen face-to-face and examined. You may need to ask for a ‘double appointment‘ (20 mins).
Note. Possible spinal cord compression needs to be seen by your GP today. If this is not possible, go to A&E.
Mental health red flag symptom
Definition. A feeling that your mind, or thought processes, are abnormal – and you think something is seriously wrong.
The following symptoms should ‘ring bells’ – all need action.
- Excessive worrying, anxiety, fear or sadness – irritability, anger, or feeling excessively sad or low. This can be linked to extreme mood changes – including uncontrollable ‘highs’ or feelings of euphoria
- Confused thinking – or problems concentrating and learning
- Difficulty perceiving reality – delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don’t exist in objective reality
- Excessive use of recreational drugs – like alcohol or drugs
- Thinking about suicide.
What should I do if I have any of these mental health red flag symptoms?
If you have any of these symptoms, you need to consult a doctor ASAP. If you have suicidal ideas, you need to call 999 and/or attend your nearest A&E now.
Summary
We have described what is a red flag symptoms – acute and chronic physical health, and mental health types. We hope it has been helpful.
Other resource
