Is it really a medical emergency?

When you should call ER24 for a summer emergency. And when you shouldn’t.

While we encourage you to call 084 124 if you believe you are facing a genuine emergency, it's important to recognise that not all health concerns require immediate medical attention.

For instance, a high fever, a cut, or a back injury may seem urgent, but many of these can be addressed by a GP or pharmacist and may not require emergency care right away.

If a doctor, nurse, or ER24 paramedic advises urgent transport to a hospital, then it is clear that medical attention is needed immediately. However, if you are calling for an ambulance simply because you need transport to a hospital, this may not be considered a medical emergency. In such cases, your health insurance provider may not cover the cost of the ambulance, leaving you liable for the expense.

Conditions such as mild burns, insect stings, strains, sprains, headaches, menstrual cramps, mild fevers, earaches, coughing, diarrhoea, or vomiting are typically not emergencies. For these, we recommend consulting your GP or pharmacist for advice and treatment.

Real summer emergencies: when to call 084 124

Breathing difficulties. If you’ve been hiking, running or playing tennis, it’s normal to feel out of breath for a while. But if you have persistent and significant shortness of breath without exertion, call for real help, real fast. Chest pain that gets worse when you breathe can also be serious. If you have asthma and your medication isn't working, call 084 124 for help.

Heat stroke. Hot weather and spending time outside can raise your risk of heat stroke, which is a serious, life-threatening condition if not treated quickly. Signs of heat stroke include a fast pulse, dry skin, and fainting.

Burns. Summer holidays often involve braais and campfires. If someone suffers serious burns to their hands, neck, face, feet or genitals, call 084 124. Electrical burns also require emergency medical help.

Allergic reactions. Bee stings, insect bites and jellyfish stings are part of a South African summer.  Call an ambulance immediately if someone is having difficulty breathing, or if they experience swelling or itching in their tongue or throat.

Fever. If you've taken paracetamol and your temperature is still above 40°C, or if a baby under two months old has a fever over 38.5°C, you need to get medical help right away.

Heart issues. If you have chest pain that spreads to your arm or jaw, you might be having a heart attack. Other signs include sweating, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. You need to get urgent medical help from ER24 right away.

Sudden abdominal pain. Severe, sudden stomach pain could be a sign of something serious, such as a burst appendix or a bowel obstruction.

Possible stroke. Use the FAST method to check if someone is having a stroke (brain attack):

• F: Face drooping
• A: Can't lift arm
• S: Slurred speech
• T: Time to call for help.

Altered mental state. If someone is suddenly very confused, paralysed, having unexplained seizures or loses their vision or balance (especially older people), it's a medical emergency.

Suicidal thoughts and psychosis. The holiday season can make depression and stress worse. If a person has a history of mental health problems and is showing signs of a relapse, they may need urgent medical help.

• Make time to save time. For real help, real fast, save 084 124 to your phone today.