Concussion Guide
Recognizing a Possible Concussion
A concussion can only be officially diagnosed by a healthcare professional, but the following are some common warning signs to watch for:
Seems disoriented or confused
Has trouble remembering their role or task
Forgets directions or instructions
Is uncertain about the game, score, or opponent
Moves awkwardly or unsteadily
Responds to questions more slowly than usual
Loses consciousness, even for a short moment
Displays unusual mood, behavior, or personality changes
Cannot remember events before or after the impact or fall
If the warning signs are serious, get medical help right away.
Managing a Suspected Concussion
If symptoms are not severe (see Warning Signs), anyone who may have sustained a concussion should be assessed by a qualified healthcare provider within one week of the injury.
If your concussion occurred during sport and within the past four weeks, you may schedule an appointment with our Acute Concussion Clinic, where you can be seen within a week.
Before attending any appointment, please follow these guidelines:Seems disoriented or confused
Make sure the person with a suspected concussion is supervised, as complications can develop in the first 24 hours.
Get plenty of rest, both physically and mentally.
Limit screen time and avoid prolonged use of TVs, phones, or computers that could strain the brain.
Do not drive until a medical professional has confirmed it is safe to do so.
Avoid all sports or training activities until medically cleared.
Refrain from alcohol consumption.
If needed, simple pain relief such as Paracetamol (Panadol) may be taken.
Do not take other over-the-counter medications without medical advice.
Sleeping
During the first night after a suspected concussion, the person should be monitored closely:
They should remain awake for at least the first four hours following the injury. After that, normal sleep is allowed, but if anything unusual is noticed during sleep (such as unusually loud snoring or irregular breathing), they should be woken and checked before being allowed to go back to sleep.
If there are any concerns about the severity of the impact, the caregiver should gently wake the person every two hours and ask a simple yes/no question to confirm responsiveness.
The individual should wake up as normal in the morning. If they do not, seek urgent medical attention immediately.
Warning Signs
If any of the following symptoms appear, seek immediate medical attention:
Neck pain or stiffness
Worsening level of consciousness
Increasing confusion, agitation, or irritability
Seizures or convulsions
Double or blurred vision
Severe or progressively worsening headache
Repeated vomiting (two or more times)
Unusual or extreme changes in behaviour
Weakness, tingling, or burning sensations in the arms or legs