Heat Related Illness and Actions to Take

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment. 

Heat stroke symptoms include 

• Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness (coma)
• Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
• Seizures
• Very high body temperature

Take the following steps

• Call 911 for emergency medical care.
• Stay with the victim until emergency medical services arrive.
• Move the victim to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing.
• Cool the the victim with a cold water or ice bath, if possible, wet the skin, place cold wet cloths on the skin, soak clothing with cool water, circulate the air around the worker to speed cooling, place cold wet cloths or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin; or soak the clothing with cool water.

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect the elderly, people with high blood pressure, and those working in a hot environment

Heat exhaustion symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature, and decreased urine output.

Take the following steps

• take the victim to a clinic or emergency room
• call 911 if medical care is unavailable
• have someone stay with the victim until help arrives
• remove the victim from the hot area and give liquids to drink
• remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks
• cool the victim with cold compresses or have them wash their head, face, and neck with cold water
• encourage frequent sips of cool water.