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Fatigue and signs of a serious illness

Healthwise
By Jan Nissl, RN, BS

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Signs of serious illness include:

  • Severe neck stiffness or pain.
  • Confusion or extreme irritability.
  • Extreme sleepiness.
  • Persistent nausea or vomiting.
  • Fever.
  • Yellow color to the skin or eyes (jaundice).
  • Abnormal bleeding, such as unexpected vaginal bleeding, rectal bleeding, or blood in the urine.
  • Severe sensitivity to light (photophobia).
  • Unsteadiness or dizziness that prevents standing or walking (ataxia or vertigo).
  • New double vision, blurred vision, or blind spots.
  • Very fast or difficult breathing.
  • Very fast, very slow, or irregular heart rate (arrhythmia).
  • Profuse sweating (diaphoresis).
  • Severe pain.
  • New and different skin rash.
  • An increase in the size and number of bruises.

When fatigue occurs along with other signs of a serious illness, a visit to a health professional is required.

Credits

Author Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated January 13, 2009
Last Updated: 01/13/2009

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