Page 84 - Participant Manual

General Approach to Sudden Illness

An acute illness is an illness that strikes suddenly and usually only lasts for a short period of time. A chronic
illness is an illness that a person lives with on an ongoing basis and that often requires continuous treatment
to manage. When a person becomes suddenly ill, it may be the result of an acute illness, or it may be an acute
flare-up of a chronic condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Sudden Illness

The signs and symptoms of sudden illness vary widely, depending on the cause of the illness. The person
may have:

■ Trouble breathing.
■ Pain, such as chest pain, abdominal pain or a headache.

■ Changes in level of consciousness, such as being confused
or unaware of one’s surroundings, or becoming unresponsive.
THE PROS KNOW.
■ Light-headedness or dizziness. _______

■ Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stomach cramps.
■ A fever.

■ Pale or very flushed skin, which may be excessively sweaty or dry, Be sure to look for a medical
or excessively hot or cold. identification tag or digital
medical identification on the
■ Problems seeing or speaking (e.g., blurred vision or slurred speech).
person’s phone when you are
■ Numbness, weakness or paralysis. checking the person. It may offer
a valuable clue as to the cause of © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
■ Seizures. the person’s sudden illness.

To gain a better understanding of the situation, interview the person (or bystanders, if necessary) using
SAMPLE, and then check the person from head-to-toe (see Chapter 2). Signs and symptoms like trouble
breathing, pain that is persistent or severe, problems seeing or speaking, problems feeling or moving, seizures
or unresponsiveness require a call to 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number. If you are unsure about the
severity of the illness, it is better to call for help early than to wait for the illness to progress.

Chapter 5 Sudden Illness | 76 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual Chapter 5 Sudden Illness | 77 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual