Sudden Illness
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Fainting
Diabetic emergency
Seizure
Stroke
Poisoning
Allergic Reaction
General Guidelines of Care
 Do
no further harm
 Monitor breathing and consciousness
 Help person rest in comfortable position
 Keep person from getting
chilled/overheated
 Reassure the person
 Give any specific care needed
Fainting
 Definition:
Temporary loss of
consciousness; signal of a more serious
underlying condition.
 Caused by temporary reduction of blood
flow to the brain.
 Usually self-correcting. Normal circulation
resumes when the person collapses.
 No lasting signals, you don’t need to call
9-1-1.
Diabetic Emergency
 Definition:
The body does not produce
enough insulin or does not use insulin
effectively.
 If the person is conscious and able to
swallow, give sugar in the form of fruit
juice, candy, a non-diet soft drink or table
sugar.
 If the person is not able to swallow or a
form of sugar is not available, call 9-1-1
Seizures
 Definition:
When electrical activity of the
brain becomes irregular it may result in a
sudden loss of body control known as a
seizure.
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 If
Injury, disease, fever, poisoning or infection
disrupts normal function of the brain.
seizing – protect from injury
 Remove nearby objects that could cause
injury and protect the person’s head.
Seizures Cont’d
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Call 9-1-1 for any of the following situations –
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Seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes
Person has repeated seizures, w/out regaining
consciousness
Person is injured
Person has diabetes or is pregnant
Person fails to regain consciousness after seizure
DO NOT –
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Try and stop the seizure
Hold or restrain the person
Put anything in the person’s mouth
Stroke
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Definition: “Brain Attack,” a blockage of
blood flow to a part of the brain.
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Can cause permanent damage to the brain if
the blood flow is not restored.
Sudden signals of a stroke include –
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Weakness or numbness on one side including
face/arm/leg.
Difficulty speaking or slurred speech.
Sudden dizziness.
Blurred vision or sudden severe headache.
Think F.A.S.T.!
 Face:
weakness on one side of the face.
 Arm: weakness or numbness in one arm.
 Speech: slurred speech or trouble getting
the words out.
 Time: time to call 9-1-1 if you see any of
these signals. Note the time that the
signals began.
Poisoning
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Definition: Any substance that can cause injury, illness
or death when introduced into the body.
Poisons enter the body in four ways –
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Inhalation
Swallowed
Absorption
Injection
If you think someone has been poisoned, call the
Poison Control Center (PCC) and follow their
directions.
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PCC #: 1.800.222.1222
Do Not give anything by mouth unless otherwise
directed
Allergic Reactions
 Insect
bites, stings, contact with certain
drugs, medications, foods and chemicals
can cause an allergic reaction.
 If person is suffering a severe allergic
reaction:
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Check, Call, Care
Use epinephrine auto-injector