Common signs of heat stroke

Common signs of heat stroke include a very high body temperature, confusion, altered behaviour, collapse, seizure, severe headache, vomiting or loss of consciousness. Skin may be hot and flushed, and sweating may be present or absent. Heat stroke can follow heat exhaustion, but it can also develop quickly during intense heat or exertion.

Heat stroke overwhelms the body’s temperature control and can injure the brain and other organs. Fever-like heat, confusion and unusual behaviour are especially concerning because the person may not recognise the danger or cooperate with cooling. Vomiting can worsen fluid loss and make drinking unsafe. The absence of sweating does not rule out heat stroke, so the overall condition matters more than one sign. Treat suspected heat stroke as an emergency.

Call emergency services at once. Move the person to a cooler place, remove unnecessary clothing and cool the skin rapidly with cold wet cloths, water, fanning or an ice pack wrapped in cloth. Stay with them and place an unconscious but breathing person on their side. Do not give food, drink or medicines to someone who is confused, vomiting, drowsy or unable to swallow safely. Cooling should continue while waiting for help.

Every suspected case of heat stroke needs emergency assessment, even if the person appears to improve. Call immediately for confusion, fainting, seizure, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, breathing difficulty or a very hot body. Hospital teams may use active cooling, monitoring and treatments such as IV Fluid Therapy when clinically appropriate. Do not drive an unresponsive person yourself; follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.

How can I reduce the risk during hot weather or exercise? Could my medicines or health conditions affect heat regulation? When is it safe to return to activity? Which symptoms should my family treat as an emergency?