When to See a Doctor: A Complete Guide

The Golden Rule: When in Doubt, Get Checked Out

Most people wait too long. Studies show the average person delays seeing a doctor for 10 days after noticing a worrying symptom. In many cases, that delay makes treatment harder and more expensive. Here's your practical guide.

Go to Emergency Immediately If You Experience:

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing — don't drive yourself; call an ambulance (10177 in South Africa)
• Sudden severe headache("worst headache of your life")
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body
• Uncontrolled bleeding that won't stop with pressure
• Confusion, slurred speech, or altered consciousness**
• Severe allergic reaction — swelling, difficulty breathing, hives spreading rapidly

Book an Appointment Within 24 Hours For:

• Fever above 38.5°C that doesn't respond to paracetamol
• Persistent or worsening pain that you can't explain
• Unexplained weight loss — more than 5% of your body weight in a month without trying
• Changes in moles or skin lesions— size, colour, shape, or bleeding
• Symptoms lasting longer than 3-5 days without improvement

Routine Check-Ups You Shouldn't Skip

This is where most South Africans fall short. You feel fine, so you don't go. But many serious conditions — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, early-stage diabetes — have zero symptoms until they become dangerous.

Here's your baseline schedule:

Every 1-2 years: General health screening (especially after age 30) - this may include

1. Blood pressure, fasting cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, BMI, Girth measure in centimetres
2. Every 3-5 years: Full blood work panel (liver, kidney, thyroid function)

Numbers 1-2 above - assists health workers to assess your possible risk for developing a Non-Communicable Disease. DO NOT SKIP THESE TESTS

• HIV: every time you’ve had unprotected sex with a person who does not know their HIV status, then follow it up after at least 6 weeks. And: if you suspect a possible Sexually Transmitted Disease (burning when you urinate, fowl smelling/discoloured discharge, itching and or burning genetalia)
• Population-based Screening Recommended by Age/Sex:

- Women: Pap smears every 3 years (looking for possible Cervical Cancer) for women over 21 years/or sexually active women; Mammograms (looking for possible signs of breast cancer) from age 40 years every 2nd year, Osteoporotic Scan (looking for signs of osteoporosis) from age 50 years using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan

- Men: Prostate screening from age 45-50. A blood test called Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

- Everyone: Colonoscopy from age 45-50, every 10 years. Sigmoidoscopy, every 5 years OR if you notice fresh blood on wiping after using the toilet - a laboratory sample looking for blood in the stool is your first line of screening, followed if necessary with a colonoscopy.

- Everyone: HIV testing at least annually

Targeted Testing is Recommended for Anyone who has a first degree family member who currently has or died from: BREAST CANCER; COLORECTAL and TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS - which has been shown to have the most significant genetic traits.

The Cost of Waiting

A routine blood pressure check costs under R200. A stroke in ICU can cost over R500,000 — and that's before rehabilitation. Early detection isn't just better for your health; it's dramatically better for your wallet.

In South Africa, where many families rely on a single medical aid or use public healthcare, catching things early means shorter treatment, lower costs, and less time away from work and family.

When You're Not Sure, Call Anyway

You don't need to self-diagnose before reaching out. If something feels different, off, or concerning — that's reason enough. Our team at Aliento would rather reassure you during a quick consultation than treat a preventable complication later.

Don't wait for a crisis. [Book your check-up](/contact) at Aliento today. It's one of the simplest, most powerful things you can do for yourself and your family.