Facial Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Do you have any difficulty breathing, talking, or swallowing?

See significance of difficulty breathing, talking, or swallowing 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

Are you having mild difficulty breathing?

Yes

Are you having trouble talking or swallowing normally?

Yes

Are you drooling and having trouble swallowing your own saliva?

Yes

Is your baby age 3 months or younger having any difficulty breathing, even from nasal stuffiness?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Are you having trouble breathing through your nose because of nasal stuffiness, but you are able to breathe through your mouth without difficulty?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had mild difficulty breathing off and on through your nose for 24 hours?

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.

Last updated:	May 15, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer