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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

Chest Pain
Difficulty Breathing
Severe Bleeding

Sudden Weakness or Numbness
A Medical Emergency

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Heat-Related Illnesses - Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

If you have any of the following symptoms, check those symptoms first.

A high body temperature that may be caused by illness: Go to the topic Fever, Age 3 and Younger or Fever, Age 4 and Older.
A skin rash: Go to the topic Rash, Age 11 and Younger or Rash, Age 12 and Older.


	Yes

Do you have any signs of heat exhaustion?


	Yes

Do you have any symptoms that could cause heat syncope (fainting)?


	Yes

Do you have any signs of heat cramps?


	Yes

Do you have any signs of heat edema (swelling)?


	Yes

Have you fainted?


	Yes

Do you continue to have blurred vision, a headache, or vomiting after 1 hour of first aid measures and drinking fluids?


	Yes

Do you have a fast heart rate (over 120 beats per minute) or fast breathing (hyperventilation) after 1 hour of first aid measures and drinking fluids?Note: For more information on how to check your heart rate, see the topic Pulse Measurement.


	Yes

Do you still feel very tired, lightheaded, dizzy, or weak after 1 hour of first aid measures and drinking fluids?


	Yes

Do you continue to sweat profusely or have pale, cool, and moist skin after 1 hour of first aid measures and drinking fluids?


	Yes

Do you have abdominal cramps, severe heat cramps, or muscle aches after 1 hour of first aid measures and drinking fluids?


	Yes

Do you continue to feel weak, thirsty, and have mild heat cramps after using home treatment measures?


	Yes

Do you continue to feel faint after exercising in a hot environment despite using home treatment measures?


	Yes

Do you continue to feel nauseated and lightheaded after using home treatment measures?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Have you had a fainting episode that lasted for more than a few seconds, but you are feeling normal now?


	Yes

Do you feel faint or lightheaded?


	Yes

Do you feel lightheaded when you change position, such as moving from a lying position to a standing position (orthostatic hypotension)?


	Yes

Is your skin pale, cool, and moist?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have muscle twitching or muscle spasms?


	Yes

Do your muscles feel hard, lumpy, or tender?


	Yes

Are you nauseated, or have you vomited?


	Yes

Do you feel extremely weak or tired?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Have you had swollen feet and ankles for longer than 24 hours after sitting or standing in a hot environment and you have tried home treatment measures for heat edema?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

If you have any of the following symptoms, check those symptoms first.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 19, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.