Head Injury, Age 4 and Older
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Do you have any signs of a skull fracture?
See significance of signs of a skull fracture if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes 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.
Yes Do you have bruising or discoloration around both eyes or behind one ear?
Yes Do you have a depression in or a deformity of the skull?
Yes Do you have drooping or numbness on one side of your face (facial palsy)?
Yes Do you think you have a fever 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.
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: September 15, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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