Heat Stroke Temperature: What You Should Know

Heat stroke can follow prolonged heat, exertion, or a hot enclosed setting. The body loses its ability to shed heat, so the temperature may be very high; the exact reading can vary with the thermometer and the person’s circumstances. Confusion, unusual behaviour, fainting, seizures, hot skin, severe weakness, or loss of coordination are more concerning than a number alone. Heat exhaustion is less severe but can progress, especially when cooling and fluids do not help.

Call emergency services immediately. Move the person to shade or an air-conditioned place, remove extra clothing, and cool the skin with cool wet cloths, misting, or a fan. Place ice packs wrapped in cloth near the neck, armpits, and groin if available. Do not give anything by mouth to a confused, drowsy, vomiting, or unconscious person. Do not delay transport while trying to obtain a temperature reading.

Any suspected heat stroke needs emergency assessment, even if the person seems cooler after first aid. Seek urgent help for confusion, collapse, seizure, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, or inability to drink. A fever can have other causes, but heat exposure plus altered mental status should be treated as an emergency.

Ask what caused the overheating, whether kidney or muscle tests are needed, how to replace fluids safely, and which warning signs should prompt immediate reassessment.