HEATSTROKE

Dry hot skin, usually red
Pupils constricted
Very high body temperature
Coma or near coma
Pulse strong and rapid

Signs and Symptoms

Temperature of 105ºF or higher.
Hot reddish, dry skin; patients who are progressing from heat exhaustion to heat stroke may still have some perspiration on the skin.
An initially rapid, strong pulse of 160 or more, continuing rapid but becoming weak as damage progresses.
Initially constricted pupils, later becoming dilated.
Mental confusion and anxiety; patients may show unusual irritability, aggression, combative agitation or - in the extreme - psychotic or hysterical behavior.
Initially deep, rapid breathing becomes shallow and weak as damage progresses.
Headache, dry mouth, shortness of breath.
Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting.
Increasing dizziness and weakness, decreased blood pressure.
Convulsions, sudden collapse and possible unconsciousness; all heatstroke patients have compromised levels of consciousness, ranging from disorientation to coma.
Tremors, seizures.

Patients may lapse into a coma, become delirious and die. About 4,000 Americans die of heatstroke every year.