Heat Stroke Vomiting: What You Should Know

Vomiting can occur during heat stroke and should be treated as an emergency, especially with confusion, fainting, hot skin, or a reduced level of alertness. Heat stroke can worsen quickly, so do not wait for vomiting to settle before arranging emergency medical help.

Vomiting may reflect severe heat illness, fluid loss, and strain on the body's temperature-control systems. Other warning signs can include a severe headache, dizziness, weakness, fast breathing, a fast heartbeat, unusual behaviour, or a seizure. Sweating may be present or absent, so sweating alone cannot rule heat stroke in or out. Heat exhaustion can also cause nausea and vomiting, but new confusion, collapse, or worsening alertness raises concern for heat stroke and needs emergency assessment.

Call emergency medical services and say that heat stroke is suspected. Move the person to shade or an air-conditioned place, remove excess clothing, and cool the skin with cool wet cloths, fanning, or cool water while help is coming. Stay with them and watch their breathing and responsiveness. Do not give food, alcohol, or large drinks to someone who is confused, very drowsy, having a seizure, or vomiting repeatedly, because they may choke. Do not leave them alone to recover.

Seek emergency help immediately for vomiting after heat exposure when it occurs with confusion, fainting, seizure, severe weakness, trouble breathing, hot skin, or difficulty waking the person. Urgent assessment is also needed if vomiting prevents drinking or if symptoms continue after moving to a cooler place. A clinician may check temperature, circulation, mental state, and hydration, then provide monitored cooling and fluids when needed. Do not drive an unwell or confused person yourself.

Ask what signs suggest the illness has moved beyond heat exhaustion, whether any medicines or health conditions increase heat risk, and when normal drinking, activity, and work in hot conditions can restart. Tell the clinician when heat exposure began, how often vomiting occurred, what cooling was tried, and whether there was confusion or collapse.