Heat stroke: recognise it and act quickly

Heat stroke can follow heat exhaustion, strenuous activity, or prolonged exposure to a hot environment. The defining concern is a dangerous rise in body temperature with changes in brain function. The person may be confused, agitated, unusually sleepy, faint, unsteady, or have a seizure. Skin may be hot and flushed; sweating can be present or absent.

Vomiting, a severe headache, rapid breathing, or collapse can accompany the illness. Do not wait for a thermometer reading or assume it is ordinary fever. Heat stroke can worsen quickly, so the person's mental state and ability to stay awake are urgent clues.

Call emergency services immediately and state that heat stroke is suspected. Move the person to shade or air conditioning, remove excess clothing, and cool them rapidly with cold wet cloths, a cool shower, or water and fans. Continue cooling while waiting for help.

Place an unconscious but breathing person on their side. Do not give drinks, food, or medicines to someone who is confused, vomiting, drowsy, or unable to swallow. If they are not breathing normally, begin emergency first aid according to dispatcher instructions.

Every suspected case needs emergency assessment, including after the person appears better. Organ injury may not be obvious at first. Tell responders how long the person was in the heat, what cooling was attempted, and whether they had vomiting, collapse, or a seizure.

After recovery, ask when it is safe to return to exercise or outdoor work, whether medicines or health conditions raise your risk, and how to recognise heat illness earlier next time.