What should you know about nonexertional heat stroke?

Nonexertional heat stroke can affect someone who is resting or has limited ability to cool themselves, rather than someone doing strenuous activity. The body becomes dangerously overheated and the brain may be affected. Confusion, unusual behaviour, drowsiness, seizures or loss of consciousness are emergency signs. Hot skin, headache, weakness, nausea or vomiting may also occur, but sweating can be present or absent.

Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, so a person who seems to be deteriorating needs reassessment. Do not rely on a home thermometer or wait for a particular temperature reading when mental changes or collapse are present.

Call emergency services immediately. Move the person to a cooler place, remove unnecessary clothing and cool the skin with water, cool wet cloths or other available cooling methods while help is coming. Stay with them and monitor breathing. If they are unconscious, do not give anything by mouth; place them safely on their side if they are breathing normally. Do not give fever medicines as a substitute for cooling and emergency care.

Treat confusion, fainting, seizure, severe weakness, unusual agitation, repeated vomiting or collapse in heat as an emergency. Even if the person seems better after cooling, urgent medical assessment is needed because organ injury can continue after the skin feels cooler. Hospital treatment may include IV fluid therapy and monitoring of vital organs.

Ask what may have contributed, such as an overheated room, illness, medicines or reduced ability to drink. Ask how to plan cooling, hydration and supervision during future hot weather, and which early symptoms should prompt help.