What should you know about heat stroke symptoms?

Heat stroke happens when the body cannot release heat effectively. A person may become confused, unusually sleepy, unsteady, faint, or have a seizure. Skin may feel hot and can be dry or sweaty; sweating alone does not rule out heat stroke. Headache, nausea, vomiting, fast breathing, and a rapid heartbeat can also occur. Heat exhaustion can worsen into heat stroke, so compare the warning signs with the information about Heat Exhaustion.

Call emergency services immediately and move the person to shade or a cool indoor area. Remove excess clothing and cool the skin with cool wet cloths, fanning, or a cool shower if the person is alert and safe to move. Do not give drinks to someone who is confused, vomiting, having a seizure, or unable to swallow. Stay with them and place an unconscious person on their side while awaiting help. Clinicians may use IV Fluid Therapy alongside active cooling.

Treat suspected heat stroke as an emergency rather than waiting for symptoms to settle. Get immediate help for confusion, collapse, seizure, severe weakness, or difficulty waking. A measured fever-like temperature after heat exposure also warrants urgent assessment; Fever can have causes unrelated to heat. Do not drive an unconscious or severely confused person yourself.

Ask what may have triggered the episode, whether medicines or illness increased heat risk, how long to avoid strenuous heat exposure, and which symptoms should prompt reassessment.