Which heat injury is a medical emergency with symptoms including dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache, disorientation, drowsiness, and hot and dry skin, with body temperature around 104°F?

• A. Heat stroke
• B. Heat cramps
• C. Heat syncope
• D. Heat exhaustion

Answer: (A)

Heat stroke is the heat illness that becomes a medical emergency because the body's cooling mechanisms fail and the central nervous system is affected. The combination of dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache, disorientation or drowsiness, and a very high body temperature around 104°F (40°C) with hot, dry skin (sweating has stopped) points to heat stroke. This is why it’s treated as an emergency requiring immediate cooling and rapid medical care.

Other heat-related conditions differ in key ways. Heat exhaustion typically presents with heavy sweating and cool, moist skin, with a lower or only mildly elevated temperature and no major mental status change. Heat cramps involve painful muscle cramps with sweating but normal temperature, and heat syncope is fainting or lightheadedness from heat without the severe CNS symptoms or high fever. If you suspect heat stroke, call emergency services right away and begin cooling the person with cool water, fan, and removal of excess clothing while awaiting help.