Heat-related illness signs, symptoms and treatment
In very hot weather, you can get burnt from contact with the hot ground in seconds. If someone has collapsed outdoors, try to place something between them and the hot ground (like a towel or blanket) to prevent burns, or if safe to do so, move them into the shade or onto the grass.
Early signs of dehydration and heat-related illness include:
sweating heavily
having a raised body temperature
feeling dizzy or faint
feeling tired and lethargic
reduced appetite
feeling thirsty
being irritable
twitching or having painful muscle cramps in the arms, legs or abdomen.
Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and/or salt contained in sweat. It results from exposure to high heat or strenuous physical exercise.
The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
headaches
having a raised body temperature
sweating heavily
fatigue, weakness, and restlessness
nausea and vomiting
weak, rapid pulse
poor coordination
anxiety.
What to do if you or someone you know is showing the signs of heat exhaustion:
stop what you are doing, go to a cool, shaded place and lie down with legs supported and slightly lifted
slowly sip plenty of water or fruit juice, avoiding caffeine and alcohol
cool down with a fan or an air-conditioner, cool water sprayed on skin or by having a cool shower or bath
reduce body temperature by placing cool packs under the armpits, groin, or neck
use massage to ease spasms or cramps, then use ice packs.
If symptoms of heat exhaustion last for more than an hour, call Triple Zero (000) immediately for an ambulance or go to a hospital Emergency Department.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a severe illness where a person’s temperature is greater than 40°C, resulting from exposure to high heat or strenuous physical exercise.
The signs and symptoms of heatstroke include:
headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and confusion
having flushed, hot and unusually dry skin
being extremely thirsty
having a dry, swollen tongue
having a sudden rise in body temperature to more than 40°C
being disoriented or delirious
slurred speech
being aggressive or behaving strangely
convulsions, seizures or coma.
may be sweating and skin may feel deceptively cool
rapid pulse.
If you notice any of the above signs of heatstroke in yourself or others, call Triple Zero (000) immediately for an ambulance.
Heatstroke is an extreme medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it can lead to permanent damage to vital organs or even death.
While waiting for the ambulance to arrive:
move the person to somewhere cool and keep them still if possible
do not give aspirin or paracetamol to a person affected by heat
If the person is conscious:
move them to a cool area and keep them still
give them small sips of fluid
bring their temperature down using any method available
loosen their clothes, sprinkle them with cool water, or wrap them in a damp sheet
place cool, damp cloths in their armpits, on the back of their neck and on their forehead to cool them down as quickly as possible
use a fan to help cool them down if one is available
do not give them aspirin or paracetamol.
If the person is unconscious:
move the person to somewhere cool and keep them still if possible
lay them on their side (recovery position) and check they can breathe properly
perform CPR if needed
do not give aspirin or paracetamol to a person affected by heat.
Prolonged periods of extremely hot weather can have serious health impacts. Health professionals can assist patients to manage their health in hot weather
Use of the information and data contained within this site or these pages is at your sole risk.
If you rely on the information on this site you are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency or completeness.
This site includes links to other websites operated by community, business and government.
These linked websites will have their own terms and conditions of use and you should familiarise yourself with these.
All linked websites are linked 'as is' and the Government of South Australia:
does not sponsor, endorse or necessarily approve of any material on websites linked from or to this Site;
does not make any warranties or representations regarding the quality, accuracy, merchantability or fitness for purpose of any material on websites linked from or to this Site;
does not make any warranties or representations that material on other websites to which this site is linked does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any person anywhere in the world; and
does not authorise the infringement of any intellectual property rights contained in material in other websites by linking this site to those other websites.
If you use automatic language translation services in connection with this site you do so at your own risk.
The information and data on this site is subject to change without notice. The Government of South Australia may revise this disclaimer at any time by updating this posting.
The Government of South Australia, its agents, instrumentalities, officers and employees:
make no representations, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information and data contained on this site
make no representations, express or implied, as to the accuracy or usefulness of any translation of the information on this site or any linked website into another language
make no representations as to the availability of the site and the availability of websites linked from or to the site
accept no liability however arising for any loss resulting from the use of the site and any information and data or reliance placed on it (including translated information and data)
make no representations, either expressed or implied, as to the suitability of the said information and data for any particular purpose
accepts no liability for any interference with or damage to a user's computer, software or data occurring in connection with or relating to this Site or its use or any website linked to this site
do not represent or warrant that applications or payments initiated through this site will in fact be received or made to the intended recipient. Users are advised to confirm the application or payment by other means.
