When to go to the hospital. Anyone who suspects that they have altitude sickness needs to go to the hospital to be evaluated by a doctor. Even mild cases can become severe without prompt treatment. Certain symptoms also indicate a medical emergency, and these include confusion, coughing up bloody mucus, reduced consciousness, shortness of breath even when someone is at rest, skin discoloration, coughing, chest tightness, and not being able to walk a straight line.
