Are You Sick?

Adult HouseCalls Online

Choose a part of the body to search for information on:

Abdomen Symptoms
Arm and Leg Symptoms
Bites / Stings
Breathing or Chest symptoms
Ear
Eye
Fever Symptoms
Genital or Urinary Symptoms
Head or Brain Symptoms
Mental and Behavioral Health Symptoms
Miscellaneous - Other
Mouth / Teeth / Throat Symptoms
Neck & Back Symptoms
Nose Symptoms
Skin - Localized Symptoms
Skin - Widespread Symptoms

A Decision Chart (When to Call Your Doctor Chart) is provided for each topic. By using the decision chart and your common sense, you should be able to select one of the five following responses categories:

  • Call 911 Now (you may need an ambulance)
  • Call Your Doctor Now (night or day)
  • Call Your Doctor Within 24 hours (between 9 am and 4 pm)
  • Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours
  • Self Care at Home

If you think that you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or the number for the local emergency ambulance service NOW!

And when in doubt, call your doctor now or go to the closest emergency department.

Adult Health Topics

Abdomen Symptoms

Abdominal Pain - Female

Abdominal Pain - Male

Abdominal Pain - Upper

Constipation

Diarrhea

Vomiting

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Arm and Leg Symptoms

Finger Injury

Foot and Ankle Injury

Hand and Wrist Injury

Hip Injury

Knee Injury

Knee Pain

Shoulder Injury

Toe Injury

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Bites / Stings

Animal Bite

Bee Sting

Insect Bite

Snake Bite

Spider Bite

Tick Bite

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Breathing or Chest Symptoms

Asthma Attack

Chest Pain

Cough

Swine Flu (H1N1)

Swine Flu (H1N1) Exposure

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Ear

Ear - Pierced

Ear - Swimmer's

Earache

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Eye

Eye - Chemical in

Eye - Foreign Body

Eye - Injury

Eye - Pus or Drainage

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Fever Symptoms

Fever

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Genital or Urinary Symptoms

Jock Itch

Menstrual Period - Missed or Late

Penis Symptoms

STD - Chlamydia

STD - Genital Herpes

STD - Gonorrhea

STD - HIV

STD - Prevention

STD - Pubic Lice

STD - Trichomonas

Urination Pain - Female

Urination Pain - Male

Vaginal Bleeding - Abnormal

Vaginal Discharge

Vulvar Symptoms

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Head or Brain Symptoms

Fainting

Head Injury

Headache

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Mental and Behavioral Health Symptoms

Alcohol Abuse Problems / Questions

Depression

Drug Abuse Problems / Questions

Postpartum Depression

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Miscellaneous - Other

Emergency Contraception

High Blood Pressure

Mouth / Teeth / Throat Symptoms

Cold Sores

Sore Throat

Tooth Injury

Toothache

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Neck & Back Symptoms

Back Pain

Neck Pain

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Nose Symptoms

Colds

Hay Fever - Nasal Allergies

Nose Injury

Nosebleed

Sinus Pain and Congestion

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Skin - Localized Symptoms

Athlete's Foot

Burns

Frostbite

Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac

Puncture Wound

Rash - Localized and Cause Unknown

Skin Foreign Body

Skin Injury (Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruises)

Suture Questions

Wound Infection

Skin - Widespread Symptoms

Hives

Rash - Widespread and Cause Unknown

Sunburn

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Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Instructions: The first purpose of Adult HouseCalls Online is to help you determine how sick you are and if you need to call your doctor. The second purpose is to help you treat yourself at home when it is safe to do so. Your doctor's advice and your good judgment should always take precedence over information in these topics.

When to Call Your Doctor

Copy Right: Author and Senior Reviewer: David A. Thompson, M.D. Clinical content review provided by Senior Reviewer and Healthpoint Medical Network.

Last Review Date: 3/15/2008

Last Revised: 5/24/2006

Version Year: 2008

Adult HouseCalls Online. Portions Copyright 2000-2008 Self Care Decisions LLC; Copyright LMS, Inc.

View Anatomic Index of Topics

Are You Sick?

David A Thompson, MD is the author of Adult HouseCalls Online. He is a board-certified emergency medicine physician at MacNeal Hospital in Chicago. He has a national reputation in telephone triage, decision support tools, medical information technology and quality improvement. Adult HouseCalls Online is a decision support tool for adults that has been reviewed and approved by adult physicians.

Is Your Child Sick?

Pediatric HouseCalls Online is a guide for treating your child at home, calling your child's doctor or seeking immediate medical attention. Developed by Dr. Barton Schmitt, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician on staff at The Children’s Hospital. Dr. Schmitt has developed health tools for parents, including Pediatric HouseCalls Online, the Parent Advice Line and his 3rd edition of Your Child’s Health, which is available in bookstores.

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