Please call 911 immediately if you are having chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or numbness, or if you think you have a medical emergency.
Heat Stroke Treatment
Call 911 if the person has the following symptoms:
Body temperature above 103° F
Rapid pulse
Reduced sweating
Disorientation
Unconsciousness
Seizures
Warm, red, dry skin
1. Call 911
Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
2. Lower Body Temperature Quickly
Get the person out of the sun.
Immerse the person in a cool bath, spray the person with cool water, or apply cold wet cloths to the armpits, neck, and groin. Fan air across the person to increase cooling. These methods help cool the person quickly.
Continue cooling efforts until the person's body temperature drops to 101º to 102° F.
Do not give the person anything to drink.
3. Treat Symptoms
If the person experiences seizures, keep him or her safe from injury.
If the person vomits, turn the person on his or her side to keep the airway open.
4. Follow Up
At the hospital, health care providers will rehydrate the person and continue cooling as needed.
WebMD Medical Reference
SOURCES:
Cleveland Clinic: "Heat Related Illnesses."
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: "Heat Injury and Heat Exhaustion."
CDC: "Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety."
Waters, T. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, August 2001.
Reviewed by
Robert L. Norris, MD on November 01, 2011