injuries and poisoning
Heatstroke
Treatment of Heatstroke
Cold water immersion Evaporative cooling measures Sometimes cooled fluids given intravenously People with heatstroke must be cooled immediately, and an ambulance should be called. While awaiting transportation to the hospital, people should be immersed in cold water such as a lake, stream, or bathtub. To decrease the risk of drowning, immersion should not be done if the person is confused or cannot cooperate. If immersion is not possible, people should be cooled by misting the body with water and then blowing air across the body with a fan (evaporative cooling). Slightly warm or tepid water is better than cold for misting because people are less likely to shiver, which generates more heat. Using medications (aspirinoracetaminophen) designed to treat a fever due to an infection is ineffective and should be avoided. If a person exposed to high heat and humidity develops confusion or symptoms of brain malfunction, immediately call an ambulance and begin cooling measures. At the hospital, the body is usually cooled rapidly by removing the clothes and covering the exposed skin with water (warm or lukewarm) or occasionally ice. To speed evaporation and body cooling, a large industrial fan (often used by the janitorial department) may be used to blow air on the body. Body temperature is measured frequently, often continuously. Cooled fluids may be given intravenously. To avoid overcooling, cooling is stopped when the body temperature is reduced to about 102° F (about 39° C). Seizures, coma, and malfunction of other organs may also need treatment. Heatstroke is best treated in an intensive care unit of a hospital. 