TRAUMATIC BRAIN (HEAD) INJURY FACTS
A concussion is an example of a mild brain injury. Following
any brain injury/concussion, you should be alert for symptoms
that may not show up for days or even weeks after the injury.
A child should return to the emergency department, see
his/her physician or call 911 immediately if any one of these
occurs:
• Cannot be awakened (call 911)
• Seems increasingly sleepy
• Cannot stop vomiting (throwing up)
• Has a seizure(s) or a sudden onset of daydreaming or
a fixed stare
• Has dramatic mood swings, very irritated, sad, or agitated
• Says he/she cannot see clearly or has blurred or double
vision
• Is not speaking clearly, seems confused, or doesn't know
who you are
• Has blood or clear fluid from the nose or ears
• Has increased headaches or neck stiffness
• Has pupils (black center of the eye) that are different
sizes
• Is stumbling or has other problems with walking
• Is experiencing dizziness
An adult should return to the emergency department, see
his/her physician or call 911 immediately if he/she experiences
any of the following:
• Has trouble answering simple questions
(What day is it?
What happened to you?)
• Has trouble waking up completely
• Has a headache that is getting worse even after medication
• Changes in behavior or personality or doesn't recognize
friends/family
• Is still vomiting (throwing-up) 8 hours after the injury.
Or vomiting that starts 1 to 2 hours after the injury
• Has pupils (black center of the eye) that are different
sizes
• Is stumbling or has other problems with walking
• Has double vision, blurred vision, or visual field cuts
• Is slurring speech, or repeating questions
• Has seizures (convulsions), fixed stares, or “daydreaming”
• Is experiencing blood or clear fluid from the nose or
ears
• Is experiencing dizziness
If you notice that symptoms are getting worse since the
injury or if you answer YES to the following questions, you
should talk with the doctor about getting help:
• Has there been a personality change?
• Does the individual get angry for no reason?
• Does the individual get lost or get easily confused?
• Does the individual have more trouble than usual making
decisions?
• Is there a significant drop in performance
(school, work,
sports, social, etc.)?
• Are there problems in thinking processes
(memory, concentration,
learning, speaking, understanding)?
For more information call the Brain Injury Association of Florida
Inc:
800-992-3442
Florida Department of Health Brain and Spinal
Cord Injury Program
Adapted from “Traumatic Brain Injury Facts: Emergency Medical
Services,”
National Association of State Head Injury Administrators, March,
2001
Download
a pdf version of the TBI Fact Sheet:
In English
In Spanish (Realidades
Sobre las Lesiones Traumaticas del Cerebro (Cabeza)
In Creole (Enfomasyon
sou Ch ok nan Sevo (Tet)
If
you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, click
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