🔴 Urgency Triage Tool

Select your information to quickly assess symptom urgency and get recommended next steps

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This tool is based on simplified emergency triage guidelines and is for reference purposes only. It cannot replace professional medical evaluation. Red-level results will display an emergency alert. If you feel unwell, trust your judgment and seek medical care when necessary.

How to Use This Tool

  • ✓ Step 1: Select the body part where you're experiencing symptoms. The tool covers six areas: Head, Chest, Abdomen, Limbs, Skin, and Whole Body.
  • ✓ Step 2: Choose your specific symptom from the list — options change based on the body part you selected. All selections are pre-defined, so there's no risk of mis-entering information.
  • ✓ Step 3: Indicate how long the symptom has been present, from less than an hour to more than 3 days. Duration helps distinguish acute emergencies from ongoing or chronic issues.
  • ✓ Step 4: Select any accompanying symptoms. Multiple selections are allowed — for example, chest pain with shortness of breath triggers a higher urgency level than chest pain alone.
  • ✓ Step 5: Click "Start Assessment" to get your result. The tool uses a decision-tree algorithm based on simplified emergency triage standards.

⏱ The entire process takes less than 60 seconds. All processing happens locally in your browser — no data is sent to any server.

1 Select body part & symptom
2 Select duration
3 Select accompanying symptoms

Triage Level Guide

Green
Home Monitoring
No urgent action needed. Rest, monitor, and follow up if symptoms persist.
Yellow
Schedule Appointment
Book a non-urgent appointment with your primary care physician or a specialist.
Orange
Seek Care Within 24h
Visit a clinic or urgent care within 24 hours. Go to ER if symptoms worsen.
Red
Emergency / Call 911
Immediate medical attention required. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

Understanding the Results

The triage tool uses a simplified decision tree based on publicly available emergency severity index (ESI) guidelines. It evaluates three factors: symptom type, duration, and accompanying symptoms. Here's what you should know about the results:

  • Green does not mean "ignore it." If symptoms persist beyond 3 days or worsen, you should still consult a healthcare provider.
  • The tool cannot account for your medical history. Pre-existing conditions, medications, and individual risk factors may change your actual risk level.
  • Trust your instincts. If you feel something is seriously wrong — even if the tool says Green — seek medical attention. Your intuition matters.
  • The decision tree covers the most common symptom combinations. Unusual or rare presentations may not be accurately assessed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tool a replacement for a doctor's evaluation? +
No. This tool is designed as a preliminary reference only. It cannot replace a thorough medical examination, diagnostic testing, or professional clinical judgment. Always consult a healthcare provider for any health concerns.
What if my specific symptom isn't listed? +
Our symptom list covers the most common presentations for each body part, but it is not exhaustive. If your symptom is not listed, we recommend consulting a healthcare professional directly rather than choosing the closest match, as this could lead to inaccurate assessment.
Why do I need to use drop-down selections instead of typing my symptoms? +
This is a deliberate safety feature. Medical triage requires standardized inputs to produce reliable outputs. Free-text input introduces the risk of misinterpretation and could lead to dangerous recommendations. Allowing only pre-defined selections ensures the decision tree logic works as intended.
Is my health data stored or shared? +
No. All processing happens entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. No data is transmitted to any server, stored in any database, or shared with any third party. Once you close or refresh the page, all selections are cleared.
What should I do if I get a Red result? +
A Red result indicates a potentially life-threatening condition. Do not wait. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Follow the instructions provided in the result box. If you are alone, try to unlock your door so emergency responders can enter.
The tool gave me a Green result, but I still feel very unwell. What should I do? +
Trust your instincts. The tool is a simplified reference and cannot account for your full medical history, current medications, or individual risk factors. If you are genuinely concerned about your health, see a doctor regardless of the tool's recommendation.
What guidelines are the triage rules based on? +
The decision tree is based on simplified versions of the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), and the Chinese Emergency Triage Expert Consensus. It has been significantly simplified for public reference and is not a substitute for professional triage protocols used in hospital emergency departments.

Next Steps After Assessment

Use the Symptom Checker to find the right department, then generate a preparation checklist for your visit.

Find Your Department → Generate Checklist →