Ano ang heat stroke? Signs, first aid, and when to get help

A person may have very hot skin, confusion, unusual behaviour, poor coordination, collapse, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Sweating may be heavy or may stop, so dry skin is not required for heat stroke.

Heat stroke develops when the body can no longer release heat effectively. It can follow exertion in hot conditions or prolonged exposure to high temperatures, especially when hydration, shade, ventilation, or acclimatisation is inadequate. Heat exhaustion can come before heat stroke, but a person can also deteriorate without a clear warning phase.

The key distinction is altered brain function: confusion, agitation, fainting, or a seizure in an overheated person signals a dangerous loss of temperature control rather than an ordinary fever.

Call the local emergency service immediately. Move the person to shade or air conditioning, remove unnecessary outer clothing, and cool them continuously with cool water, wet cloths, fanning, or cold packs placed around the neck, armpits, and groin. Follow the emergency operator's instructions.

Do not give fluids, food, or medicine to someone who is confused, vomiting, having a seizure, or not fully awake because they may choke. Place an unconscious person who is breathing on their side, monitor breathing, and be ready to begin CPR if advised and needed.

Treat suspected heat stroke as an emergency rather than waiting to see whether cooling alone works. Confusion, collapse, a seizure, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, breathing difficulty, or loss of consciousness after heat exposure all require urgent assessment.

Hospital care may include close monitoring, blood tests, active cooling, and fluids given through a vein when appropriate. Even if the person seems better after cooling, medical assessment is needed because injury to organs may not be obvious at first.

Ask whether medicines, heart or kidney problems, recent illness, or work conditions may have increased heat risk. Discuss when it is safe to resume exercise or outdoor work, how to replace fluids, and whether follow-up blood or urine tests are needed.