What should you know about classic heat stroke?

Classic heat stroke usually develops when heat exposure overwhelms the body's cooling system. It can affect older adults, infants, people with chronic illness, or anyone without reliable access to a cool environment. Confusion, unusual behaviour, fainting, a severe headache, hot skin, nausea, or vomiting may occur. Sweating can be present or absent, so its presence does not rule out heat stroke. This is more serious than heat exhaustion, which can progress if cooling and fluids do not restore wellbeing.

Call emergency services and move the person to shade or an air-conditioned place. Remove extra clothing and cool the skin with wet cloths, cool water, or fanning while help is coming. Do not leave the person alone. If they are confused, drowsy, unconscious, or unable to swallow safely, do not give drinks or medicines by mouth. A clinician may need to provide close monitoring and IV fluid therapy alongside rapid cooling.

Treat suspected heat stroke as urgent, especially after collapse, confusion, seizure, breathing difficulty, or persistent vomiting. Seek emergency help immediately rather than waiting for a temperature reading or seeing whether rest works. A person who improves after cooling still needs medical advice because complications can develop after the initial episode.

Ask what caused the episode, how to recognise early heat exhaustion, whether medicines or health conditions increase heat sensitivity, and how to plan cooling, hydration, and activity during hot weather.