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Alternative Names:
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Heatstroke
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First Aid:
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- Have the person lie down in a cool place. Elevate the person's feet about 12 inches.
- Apply cool, wet cloths (or cool water directly) to the person's skin and use a fan to lower body temperature. Place cold compresses on the person's neck, groin, and armpits.
- If alert, give the person beverages to sip (such as Gatorade), or make a salted drink by adding a teaspoon of salt per quart of water. Give a half cup every 15 minutes. Cool water will do if salt beverages are not available.
- For muscle cramps, give beverages as above and massage affected muscles gently, but firmly, until they relax.
- If the person shows signs of shock (bluish lips and fingernails and decreased alertness ), starts having seizures, or loses consciousness, call 911 and administer first aid accordingly.
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Do Not:
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- DO NOT underestimate the seriousness of heat illness, especially if the person is a child, elderly, or injured.
- DO NOT give the person medications that are used to treat fever (such as aspirin or acetaminophen). They will not help, and they may be harmful.
- DO NOT give the person salt tablets.
- DO NOT give the person liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. They will interfere with the body's ability to control its internal temperature.
- DO NOT use alcohol rubs on the person's skin.
- DO NOT give the person anything by mouth (not even salted drinks) if the person is vomiting or unconscious.
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Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:
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