Marine Stings And Scrapes: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Are you having a serious reaction to a jellyfish or Portuguese man-of-war sting?

See significance of a serious reaction to a sting 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 mild difficulty breathing or wheezing that is getting worse?

Yes

Do you have severe pain?

Yes

Are you having trouble walking or standing?

Yes

Do you feel weak all over?

Yes

Do you feel very sleepy or are you having a hard time staying awake?

Yes

Do you have a fever of or higher?

Yes

Do you think that you have a high fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Yes

Have you had sudden swelling that is rapidly increasing at the site of the sting or anywhere else, such as swelling across 2 large joints?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you vomited 3 or more times within 1 hour of being stung?

Yes

Do you have a fever?

Yes

Do you have moderate pain?

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

Yes

Have you had vomited 3 or more times in 24 hours, but you are still able to keep down some fluids or food?

Yes

Have you had vomiting that comes and goes for longer than 48 hours and is getting worse?

Yes

Have you had mild pain for 48 hours or longer?

Yes

Have you had muscle spasms, muscle cramps, joint pain, or aching all over for 48 hours or longer?

Yes

Have you had symptoms of mild dehydration for 48 hours or longer?

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:	September 24, 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