What should you know about consequences of heat stroke?

Heat stroke develops when the body cannot release heat effectively. The resulting overheating can affect thinking, coordination and consciousness. A person may become confused, unusually drowsy, agitated or unconscious; hot skin, a very high temperature, headache, dizziness, seizures, nausea or vomiting may also occur. Heat stroke can follow heat exhaustion, but it is more severe and should not be managed by waiting for symptoms to settle. The brain, kidneys, muscles and other organs may be injured when overheating and poor circulation continue.

Call emergency services immediately. Move the person to shade or a cool indoor area, remove excess clothing, and cool the skin with wet cloths, cool water or fans while help is coming. Do not give drinks to someone who is confused, vomiting, having a seizure or unable to swallow safely. Do not leave them alone. IV fluid therapy may be used by clinicians when circulation or hydration needs medical support.

Any suspected heat stroke needs emergency assessment, especially with confusion, collapse, seizure, loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting or a very high temperature. Do not use improvement after cooling as a reason to cancel help; organ injury may not be obvious at first. Someone recovering from heat exhaustion who becomes confused, stops sweating, develops a fever or cannot drink safely should be treated as an emergency.

Ask what may have triggered the overheating, whether medicines or an illness increased risk, which symptoms need monitoring after discharge, and when it is safe to return to exercise, work or outdoor heat.