Head Injury

• Temporary or permanent loss of consciousness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Giddiness
• Loss of memory

These symptoms may occur immediately or develop slowly over several hours to days. Even if no serious injury is found, careful observation by a responsible adult must occur in the first 24 – 48 hours after the injury.

For the first 24 hours after a head injury, the person SHOULD NOT:

• Be left alone
• Drive a vehicle or operate machinery
• Take alcohol or medications that can cause drowsiness

Call for help and go to the Emergency Department if:

• Signs get worse e.g. sleepiness, headache, vomiting, dizziness
• Changes in behaviour e.g. irritability, confusion
• Weakness/numbness in the arms/legs
• Difficulty walking/talking
• Fit/seizure occurs
• Blood or clear fluid comes out from the nose/ears