Common Symptoms Guide — When Should You See a Doctor?
Based on ICD-10-CM clinical guidelines, Mayo Clinic protocols and NHS triage standards · July 2026
Use this guide to understand common symptoms and know when to seek medical care. For a personalised AI-powered assessment based on your specific symptoms, use our free Afiya AI Symptom Checker — no login required.
Understanding Triage Levels
Medical professionals use triage to prioritise care based on urgency. Afiya AI uses the same three-level system:
🟢 Low Risk — Rest and Monitor: Symptoms are likely minor and can be managed at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter remedies. Monitor for any changes.
🟡 Medium — See a Doctor This Week: Symptoms warrant a medical consultation within 24-72 hours. Not an emergency but should not be ignored.
🔴 Critical — Seek Emergency Care Now: Symptoms may indicate a serious or life-threatening condition. Go to the emergency room or call emergency services immediately.
🤕 Headache
Common Causes
Most headaches are tension headaches caused by stress, dehydration, poor posture, or lack of sleep. They are usually felt as a dull, aching pressure around the head. Migraines are more severe and may be accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and visual disturbances.
Self-Care for Mild Headaches
Drink at least 2 glasses of water, rest in a quiet dark room, apply a cold or warm compress to your forehead or neck, and take over-the-counter pain relief if needed. Most tension headaches resolve within a few hours.
Low Risk: Mild to moderate headache with no other symptoms. Resolves with rest and water.
See a Doctor: Headache lasting more than 3 days, recurring headaches, or headache with fever.
Emergency: Sudden severe headache described as the worst of your life, headache with stiff neck and fever, headache after head injury, or headache with confusion, vision loss, or difficulty speaking.
🌡️ Fever
What is a Fever?
A fever is a body temperature above 38°C (100.4°F). It is a natural immune response to infection and is usually caused by viral illnesses like colds and flu, or bacterial infections. Fever itself is not dangerous in most adults — it is the body fighting infection.
Managing Fever at Home
Stay well hydrated, rest, wear light clothing, and use fever-reducing medication if uncomfortable. Monitor temperature every few hours.
Low Risk: Temperature below 38.5°C in adults, no other serious symptoms, feeling generally unwell but manageable.
See a Doctor: Fever lasting more than 3 days, temperature above 39°C, fever with rash, or fever in anyone over 65.
Emergency: Temperature above 40°C, fever with severe headache and stiff neck (meningitis sign), fever with difficulty breathing, or fever with confusion.
😮💨 Chest Pain
Important Note
Chest pain should always be taken seriously. While it can be caused by muscle strain, acid reflux, anxiety, or costochondritis (rib inflammation), it can also indicate heart problems, pulmonary embolism, or other serious conditions.
Low Risk: Sharp pain that worsens with movement or deep breathing (likely muscular or rib-related), pain after eating that is relieved by antacids (likely acid reflux).
See a Doctor: Persistent chest discomfort lasting more than a few days, chest pain with cough or fever.
Emergency: Sudden severe chest pain, pain spreading to arm, jaw, or shoulder, chest tightness with shortness of breath, chest pain with sweating and nausea. Call 999 or 911 immediately — these are signs of a heart attack.
🤢 Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are most commonly caused by gastroenteritis (stomach bug), food poisoning, motion sickness, pregnancy, or medication side effects. Most cases resolve within 24-48 hours.
Low Risk: Vomiting for less than 24 hours, able to keep small sips of water down, no blood in vomit.
See a Doctor: Vomiting lasting more than 2 days, signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no urination, dizziness), or vomiting with severe abdominal pain.
Emergency: Blood in vomit, vomiting after head injury, severe abdominal pain with vomiting, or signs of severe dehydration.
😮 Shortness of Breath
Breathlessness can be caused by anxiety, exercise, asthma, respiratory infections, anaemia, or heart and lung conditions. Sudden or severe shortness of breath is always a medical emergency.
Low Risk: Mild breathlessness during exertion that resolves quickly with rest in someone with known asthma well-managed by medication.
See a Doctor: New breathlessness on mild exertion, breathlessness with persistent cough, or worsening asthma symptoms.
Emergency: Sudden severe breathlessness at rest, breathlessness with chest pain, breathlessness with blue lips or fingertips. Call emergency services immediately.
When to Go to A&E / Emergency Room
Symptom
Go to Emergency If
Headache
Worst headache of your life, with stiff neck or fever
Chest Pain
Spreads to arm or jaw, with sweating or nausea
Breathing
Sudden severe difficulty breathing at rest
Stroke Signs
Face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty — act FAST
Allergic Reaction
Throat swelling, difficulty breathing after eating
Unconsciousness
Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
Bleeding
Severe uncontrolled bleeding
Seizure
First seizure or seizure lasting more than 5 minutes
Get a Free AI Symptom Assessment
Use Afiya AI's free Symptom Checker to describe your symptoms in plain language and get an instant triage assessment based on ICD-10-CM clinical guidelines and Mayo Clinic protocols. The tool gives you a clear Low, Medium, or Critical urgency level with possible causes and recommended actions.
Medical Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns. In a medical emergency, call your local emergency services immediately (999 in the UK, 911 in the US, 15 in Mauritius).