The following are health problems in which it is recommended to go to the emergency room:

​

• Severe physical trauma, such as that caused by a car accident.

​

• Suicidal or homicidal feelings

​

• Loss of consciousness (fainting) if it happened because of an injury or causes an injury

​

• Severe abdominal pain: especially with fever

​

• Sudden and severe headache: The worst headache of your life.

​

• Serious bleeding that doesn't stop with constant pressure after 10 minutes.

​

• Coughing up blood, blood in your vomit or bright red blood from your rectum (that is not related to hemorrhoids).

​

• Sudden chest pain or the feeling of a heavy weight (often described as an elephant) on your chest:

  • This could indicate a heart attack. Other signs of a heart attack include pain in the left shoulder or arm, a burning sensation or aching under the breastbone (which can be confused with heartburn), light-headedness, or jaw pain.

​

• Severe shortness of breath

​

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the arms or legs and/or sudden onset of blurred vision, which could indicate a stroke. Other possible signs include disorientation and difficulty speaking.

​

• A very rapid pulse at rest without a fever that is not related to exercise or emotional stress.

​

• Poisoning. If you have been poisoned, first call Quebec Poison Control Center at 1-800-463-5060. If a person is unconscious from suspected poisoning, call 911.

​

If you are experiencing any of these conditions, go to your closest emergency room or call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.