Are You Sick?

Adult HouseCalls Online

  • What should you do when you twist your ankle?
  • Do you need to go to the emergency department now?
  • Is the cough that you have had for three days serious?

These are questions that all of us have. And frequently, they arise in the evenings and weekends when your doctor is less available.

Adult HouseCalls Online is designed especially for these times. The topics help you make appropriate decisions on what level of medical care is needed and how to provide symptom relief for minor conditions at home.

You can select any of the 77 Adult Topics.

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

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

Behavioral Health
Chest/Abdomen
Digestive System/Genitals
Ear
Eye
Head
Limbs
Mouth
Neck & Back
Nose
Skin

Behavioral Health

Alcohol Abuse Problems and Questions

Depression

Drug Abuse Problems and Questions

Postpartum Depression

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Chest/Abdomen

Abdominal Pain - Female

Abdominal Pain - Male

Abdominal Pain - Upper

Asthma Attack

Chest Pain

Cough

Fainting

High Blood Pressure

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Digestive System/Genitals

Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

Chlamydia

Constipation

Diarrhea

Emergency Contraception

Genital Herpes

Gonorrhea

HIV

Jock Itch

Missed or Late Menstrual Period

Penis Symptoms

Pubic Lice

STD Prevention

Trichomonas

Urination Pain - Female

Urination Pain - Male

Vaginal Discharge

Vomiting

Vulvar Symptoms (Female Genital Symptoms)

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Ear

Earache

Pierced Ear

Swimmer's Ear

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Eye

Chemical in the Eyes

Eye Injury

Eye Pus or Drainage

Foreign Body in the Eye

Back to Top

Head

Fever

Head Injury

Headache

Back to Top

Limbs

Finger Injury

Foot and Ankle Injury

Hand and Wrist Injury

Hip Injury

Knee Injury

Knee Pain

Toe Injury

Back to Top

Mouth

Cold Sores

Sore Throat

Tooth Injury

Toothache

Back to Top

Neck & Back

Back Pain

Neck Pain

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Nose

Colds

Hay Fever

Nose Injury

Nosebleed

Sinus Pain and Congestion

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Skin

Animal Bite

Athlete's Foot

Bee Sting

Burns

Hives

Insect Bite

Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac

Puncture Wound

Rash - Localized and Cause Unknown

Rash - Widespread and Cause Unknown

Skin Injury: Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruises

Snake Bite

Spider Bite

Splinter or Sliver

Sunburn

Suture Questions

Tick Bite

Wound Infection

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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: 8/1/2006

Last Revised: 10/1/2006

Adult HouseCalls Online. Portions Copyright 2000-2006 Self Care Decisions LLC; Copryight 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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