Severe abdominal pain or other intense, unexplained pain
Rapidly spreading purple spots or large areas of unexplained bruising, particularly when the person feels unwell
A serious infection can sometimes develop before all the classic warning signs appear. Do not wait for every symptom to emerge.
If the person appears seriously ill, call your local emergency number. Do not drive them yourself if they are confused, collapsing, struggling to breathe, or otherwise unstable.
What if the person feels completely normal?
New, unexplained petechiae that are spreading or appearing in large numbers still warrant urgent medical assessment, even without fever or pain.
If you cannot obtain timely medical advice locally, seek an emergency department rather than waiting several days to see whether the spots disappear.
A small, localized cluster after an obvious episode of physical strain may have a less serious explanation, but persistent, recurrent, or unexplained spots should still be discussed with a healthcare professional.
