Assess 

the 

situation

Be alert for 

signs and 

symptoms 

Contact a 

health care 

professional

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Fact Sheet for Parents 

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a type of brain injury that changes 

the way the brain normally works. A concussion is 

caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions

can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the 

head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Even what

seems to be a mild bump to the head can be serious. 

Concussions can have a more serious effect on a young,

developing brain and need to be addressed correctly.

What are the signs and symptoms 

of a concussion?

You can’t see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of

concussion can show up right after an injury or may not

appear or be noticed until hours or days after the injury. 

It is important to watch for changes in how your child or

teen is acting or feeling, if symptoms are getting worse, 

or if s/he just “doesn’t feel right.” Most concussions occur

without loss of consciousness.

If your child or teen reports one or more of the symptoms of

concussion listed below, or if you notice the symptoms

yourself, seek medical attention right away. Children and

teens are among those at greatest risk for concussion. 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION

SIGNS OBSERVED BY 

PARENTS OR GUARDIANS

• Appears dazed or stunned

• Is confused about events

• Answers questions slowly

• Repeats questions

• Can’t recall events prior to 

the hit, bump, or fall

• Can’t recall events after the

hit, bump, or fall

• Loses consciousness 

(even briefly)

• Shows behavior or personality

changes

• Forgets class schedule or

assignments

SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY YOUR CHILD OR TEEN

Thinking/Remembering:

• Difficulty thinking clearly

• Difficulty concentrating or

remembering

• Feeling more slowed down

• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy

Physical:

• Headache or “pressure” in head

• Nausea or vomiting

• Balance problems or dizziness

• Fatigue or feeling tired

• Blurry or double vision

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Numbness or tingling

• Does not “feel right”

Emotional:

• Irritable

• Sad

• More emotional than usual

• Nervous

Sleep*:

• Drowsy

• Sleeps less than usual

• Sleeps more than usual

• Has trouble falling asleep

*Only ask about sleep symptoms if 

the injury occurred on a prior day.

To download this fact sheet in Spanish, please visit: www.cdc.gov/Concussion. Para obtener una copia electrónica de esta hoja de información en español, por favor visite: www.cdc.gov/Concussion. 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

May 2010
DANGER

SIGNS

Be alert for symptoms that worsen over time. Your child 

or teen should be seen in an emergency department

right away if s/he has:

• One pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger

than the other

• Drowsiness or cannot be awakened

• A headache that gets worse and does not go away

• Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination

• Repeated vomiting or nausea

• Slurred speech

• Convulsions or seizures

• Difficulty recognizing people or places

• Increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation

• Unusual behavior

• Loss of consciousness (even a brief loss of consciousness

should be taken seriously)

Children and teens with a concussion

should NEVER return to sports or

recreation activities on the same day the

injury occurred. They should delay

returning to their activities until a health

care professional experienced in evaluating

for concussion says they are symptom-free

and it’s OK to return to play. This means,

until permitted, not returning to: 

• Physical Education (PE) class,

• Sports practices or games, or

• Physical activity at recess.

What should I do if my child 

or teen has a concussion?

1. Seek medical attention right away. A health care

professional experienced in evaluating for concussion

can determine how serious the concussion is and when

it is safe for your child or teen to return to normal

activities, including physical activity and school

(concentration and learning activities). 

2. Help them take time to get better. If your child or teen

has a concussion, her or his brain needs time to heal.

Your child or teen may need to limit activities while s/he

is recovering from a concussion. Exercising or activities

that involve a lot of concentration, such as studying,

working on the computer, or playing video games may

cause concussion symptoms (such as headache or

tiredness) to reappear or get worse. After a concussion,

physical and cognitive activities—such as concentration

and learning—should be carefully managed and

monitored by a health care professional.

3. Together with your child or teen, learn more about

concussions. Talk about the potential long-term 

effects of concussion and the dangers of returning 

too soon to normal activities (especially physical

activity and learning/concentration). For more

information about concussion and free resources, 

visit: www.cdc.gov/Concussion.

How can I help my child return to

school safely after a concussion?

Help your child or teen get needed support when

returning to school after a concussion. Talk with

your child’s teachers, school nurse, coach, speechlanguage pathologist, or counselor about your

child’s concussion and symptoms. Your child may

feel frustrated, sad, and even angry because s/he

cannot return to recreation and sports right away, 

or cannot keep up with schoolwork. Your child may

also feel isolated from peers and social networks.

Talk often with your child about these issues and

offer your support and encouragement. As your

child’s symptoms decrease, the extra help or

support can be removed gradually. Children and

teens who return to school after a concussion 

may need to:

• Take rest breaks as needed,

• Spend fewer hours at school,

• Be given more time to take tests or 

complete assignments,

• Receive help with schoolwork, and/or

• Reduce time spent reading, writing, or on 

the computer.

To learn more about concussion and to order materials FREE-OF-CHARGE, 

go to: www.cdc.gov/Concussion or call 1.800.CDC.INFO.