Concussion Danger Signs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Concussion Danger Signs

In rare cases, a dangerous collection of blood (hematoma) may form on the brain after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that may squeeze the brain against the skull. Call 9-1-1 right away, or take your child or teen to the emergency department if he or she has one or more of the following danger signs after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body:

Dangerous Signs & Symptoms of a Concussion

  • One pupil larger than the other.
  • Drowsiness or inability to wake up.
  • A headache that gets worse and does not go away.
  • Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching).
  • Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
  • Loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out). Even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously.

Dangerous Signs & Symptoms of a Concussion for Toddlers and Infants

  • Any of the signs and symptoms listed in the Danger Signs & Symptoms of a Concussion list.
  • Will not stop crying and cannot be consoled.
  • Will not nurse or eat.
Posted on BrainLine May 23, 2017. Reviewed July 26, 2018.

Comments (7)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

What would Repeated vomiting or nausea mean? Like, I get the vomiting part but what would repeated nausea mean?

Nausea, over and over.

I was in an mva 7 days ago and my ct scan came back normal I'm still foggy with memory and concentration and get headaches when I need to concentrate on my studies. One of my pupils is larger than the other and when the light gets shined in it is doesn't react like the other one. Is this normal since the ct was negative for someone with a concussion from a head injury?

Better to go back and check then to not and something be wrong.

I enjoyed reading but I was only reading up on this topic for answers on whether I should go back to the hospital. It's been almost a week since I had a nasty fall & fell backward & hit the upper back part of my head. I did go to the hospital on Monday, January 29th of 2018, the doctor said I should be fine & that I have a slight concussion & will feel crappy for a bit. Since then my head near & around where I hit it has been feeling tingling like, along with me feeling very irritated & grumpy at work & at home on & off. I also had a nose bleed from blowing my nose this past Friday. And now here on Sunday, I have had a nonstop headache that will not go away & my blood pressure is still high. I am not on any medication for my blood pressure yet. So my question is: should I go back to the hospital or just stay in bed & rest?

I really hope you went back to hospital too! I had a fall 9.5 weeks ago and hit my head. The CT scan was totally normal but my headaches, nausea and vomiting is still continuing. I'm being sent to a specialist concussion doctor and a neurologist for further tests and scans. I've been told it can be quite normal for there to be good days and bad days for months or longer so please get checked out if you haven't already. Take care and all the best!

It seems to me that you DEFINITELY needed to return to the E.R. or Hospital. If it were me having the symptoms you mentioned, you can bet I would be on my way back to the ER! I truly HOPE you went back!!