Heatstroke

Heatstroke

Heat stroke is also known as sunstroke, thermic fever, or siriasis. It happens when the body’s mechanisms for controlling temperature fail. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency needing immediate treatment. While many people feel sick and faint during heat waves, most of these people are suffering from heat exhaustion, a related condition usually less serious than heat strokeoints:

 

Key Points:

  • Body temperature becomes extremely high
  • Requires rapid intervention

 

Signs of heatstroke

  • Hot skin
  • Dry skin (or may be wet from exertion)
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Unresponsiveness

 

Care for Heatstroke

  • Call 9-1-1.
  • Rapidly cool patient with cool, wet towels, fanning, and cold packs.
  • If unresponsive and not breathing, start CPR.
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