The World Health Organization (WHO) developed a scale for grading hemorrhage. Less serious bleeding is classified as Grade 1 or 2. People with this level of bleeding do not usually need blood transfusion.
Grade 1 bleeding - one or more of the following:
(1) positive stool occult blood test without visible blood
(2) petechial skin rash
(3) skin purpura <= 1 inch in diameter
(4) one or more spontaneous hematomas in soft tissue or muscle > 1 inch
(5) oropharyngeal bleeding lasting <= 30 minutes within a 24 hour period
(6) petechiae of oral mucosa
(7) epistaxis <= 30 minutes within a 24 hour period
(8) microscopic hematuria
(9) abnormal vaginal bleeding with spotting
Grade 2 visceral bleeding - one or more of the following
(1) hemoptysis
(2) blood in sputum or broncho-alveolar lavage, after exclusion of nasal or oropharyngeal bleeding
(3) bleeding from needle puncture sites (venipuncture, intravenous catheter, other) for > 1 hour in a 24 hour period
(4) blood in a body fluid not requiring transfusion or intervention
(5) retinal hemorrhage without visual impairment
(6) blood in CSF by microscopic exam but not visibly, without symptoms and not explained by traumatic tap
(7) melena or hematochezia without transfusion
(8) hematemesis not due to swallowed blood and not requiring transfusion
(9) skin purpura > 1 inch in diameter
(10) spontaneous hematoma in deep tissue (beneath muscle)
(11) joint bleeding
(12) oropharyngeal bleeding lasting > 30 minutes within a 24 hour period
(13) epistaxis > 30 minutes within a 24 hour period
(14) visible hematuria without need for transfusion
(15) abnormal vaginal bleeding that is more than spotting
