When to Worry About Fever With Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a dangerous failure of the body's temperature control. The skin may feel very hot, and the person can develop headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unusual behaviour, fainting or a seizure. Sweating may be present or absent, so cool or damp skin does not rule it out. Confusion or reduced alertness is especially concerning.

Call emergency services immediately. Move the person to shade or a cool indoor area, remove unnecessary outer clothing, and cool the skin with cool wet cloths, water sprays and airflow. Place an unconscious person on their side and stay with them. Do not give drinks to anyone who is confused, vomiting, having a seizure or unable to swallow safely, and do not delay emergency transport to measure temperature repeatedly.

Treat suspected heat stroke as an emergency when fever follows intense heat exposure and there is confusion, fainting, seizure, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing or inability to drink. Emergency assessment is also needed if the person remains very hot or confused after moving to a cool place. Young children, older adults and people with serious medical conditions need particularly prompt help.

After recovery, ask what likely triggered the overheating, when normal activity is safe, how medicines or medical conditions affect heat risk, and how to plan cooling and hydration during hot weather.