How common is vomiting in heat stroke?

Heat stroke disrupts the body's ability to control temperature. Vomiting may appear with hot skin, confusion, faintness, a severe headache, weakness, or a fast heartbeat. The person may be unable to keep fluids down, so fluid loss can add to the danger. Vomiting by itself has many possible causes; it does not establish heat stroke. The surrounding heat exposure and changes in alertness or behaviour matter when judging the situation.

Treat suspected heat stroke as an emergency. Call local emergency services, move the person to a cool shaded or air-conditioned place, remove extra clothing, and cool the skin with wet cloths, fans, or cool water. Stay with them and watch their breathing. Do not force drinks if they are confused, drowsy, vomiting repeatedly, or unable to swallow safely, because they could choke. If they are alert and swallowing normally, small sips may be reasonable while help is coming, but cooling and emergency assessment take priority.

Get emergency help immediately for vomiting after substantial heat exposure, especially with confusion, collapse, seizure, severe weakness, very hot skin, or a change in consciousness. Do not wait for the person to improve or for sweating to stop. A person who remains unwell after cooling, cannot drink, or shows signs of dehydration needs prompt medical assessment. For general information about the symptom itself, see the Vomiting guide.

Ask what symptoms should prompt emergency care during future heat exposure, how to cool someone safely, and which medicines or health conditions may increase heat illness risk. If vomiting followed exertion or travel in heat, describe when it began, whether the person was confused or faint, and what cooling measures were tried.