Conditions needing attention within hours
Acute Abdominal Pain
Sudden or severe abdominal pain that needs careful assessment. Some causes are manageable at home. Others — appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, obstruction — are surgical emergencies.
Acute Vertigo / Severe Dizziness
A sensation that the room is spinning or that you are moving when you are not. Most commonly caused by inner ear problems but can occasionally signal a serious neurological condition.
Chest Pain — Assessment & Response
Chest pain has many causes ranging from minor muscle strain to life-threatening cardiac events. Knowing the difference is critical. When in doubt, treat as cardiac.
Difficulty Breathing / Dyspnoea
Shortness of breath that is sudden, worsening, or not explained by physical exertion. Can indicate conditions ranging from asthma to cardiac failure. Always take seriously.
Eye Infection / Conjunctivitis
Infection or inflammation of the clear membrane covering the eye and inner eyelid. Highly contagious. Usually resolves with treatment but some types can permanently damage vision.
Food Poisoning / Acute Gastroenteritis
Illness caused by eating contaminated food or water. Usually begins within hours of eating. Most cases resolve within 24 to 48 hours with proper hydration but can be dangerous in children and the elderly.
Generalised Body Heaviness / Extreme Fatigue
Overwhelming physical fatigue and body heaviness that is disproportionate to activity. In Africa, this symptom pattern commonly indicates malaria, anaemia, typhoid, or severe dehydration — all of which are treatable.
Hypertensive Crisis / Dangerously High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure above 180/120 mmHg with symptoms. A hypertensive emergency can cause stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure if not treated urgently.
Severe Headache — Assessment & Response
Most headaches are benign tension or migraine headaches. A small number signal dangerous conditions including meningitis, hypertensive crisis, or brain bleeding. Knowing the difference is life-saving.
Suspected Malaria
A parasitic infection transmitted by mosquito bites. The most common cause of fever in Sub-Saharan Africa. Highly treatable when caught early but fatal if delayed.
Typhoid Fever / Enteric Fever
A bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi, spread through contaminated food and water. Common across Africa. Causes a sustained high fever that gets progressively worse over days.
Wound Infection / Cellulitis
A wound that has become infected with bacteria. Can spread rapidly if untreated. Early recognition and treatment prevents serious complications including sepsis.