Heat Stroke is No Joke and It Can Strike Anyone

June 12, 2026

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Below are quotes from my otherwise healthy 22-year-old son. He was hospitalized for 4 days last month, after experiencing heat stroke from overexertion while running a half-marathon on a relatively warm day (in the 80’s F).

“I don’t know what happened. I was running and then I woke upin an ice bath. It was so cold, but they wouldn’t let me out because they said my temperature was 106.”
“I was so scared; I couldn’t move my legs. I thought I would never walk again.”
“They gave me back my phone, but I was so confused I couldn’t figure out how to use it.”

Those are NOT the words any mom wants to hear, especially from your child 2,800 miles away that you can’t get to right away to help take care of. On the phone with the emergency room doctor, my mind raced backwards trying to remember how serious heat stroke was and how to treat it. With summer and hotter days coming, this is a good time to review the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and what to do if you encounter them.

Heat-Related Illnesses

I remember many hot days when my kids were playing soccer, and we worried about heat exhaustion. We gave the kids more breaks, had plenty of water on hand; sometimes the games would get cancelled because it was too hot. I recall one game during which one of our players started feeling dizzy and nauseous. She looked pale and was sweating profusely. We (the moms) got her into the shade, put towels soaked in cold water around her neck and sponged her exposed skin, fanned her, and gave her sips of cool water. Eventually she felt better and was able to sit up and watch the rest of the game from her shaded seat. This was heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is not uncommon and is generally not life-threatening but can progress if untreated.

How is Heat Stroke Different from Heat Exhaustion?

A key thing to remember is that heat stroke is a medical emergency and can cause death or permanent disability. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses too much water and salt, usually through sweating. Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. This extremely high body temperature can damage multiple organs, including the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles.

While heat stroke can happen to anyone—including young, healthy, and athletic individuals like my son—certain groups are at even higher risk, including:

• People with chronic health conditions (such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes)
• Very young children
• Older adults and seniors
• Individuals taking medications that affect hydration or temperature regulation
• Pregnant people
• Those working or exercising outdoors for prolonged periods

Here is a summary* of some heat-related illnesses, the symptoms to look for and what to do.

Heat-Related Illnesses	Symptoms (may have some or all)	First Aid/What to Do Initially
Heat Stroke (Sunstroke)	High body temperature (103-106 F or higher) Hot, red, dry or damp skin Rapid and strong pulse Headache Dizziness Loss of consciousness (passing out and not being able to wake up) Seizures	Call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Move the person to a cooler area. Remove excess clothing. Cool with cold bath or sponge, cold compresses (neck, armpits, groin). Use fans and air conditioners if available. Do NOT give fluids by mouth if person is unconscious or vomiting. Stay with person until help arrives and repeat cooling measures if temperature still high.
Heat Exhaustion	Heavy sweating Cold, pale and clammy skin Thready/weak pulse May have normal temperature Weakness Vomiting Dizziness Fainting (passing out)	Move the person to cool, shaded or air-conditioned area. Lay them down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or give a cool bath. Offer sips of water; stop if nausea or vomiting occurs. If vomiting continues or symptoms worsen or persist, seek immediate medical attention.
Heat Cramps	Painful spasms in muscles (legs, abdomen, arms) Heavy sweating	Stop physical activity and move to a cool place. Apply firm pressure or gently massage cramping muscles. Encourage drinking sips of water so sports drinks (with electrolytes); stop if nausea or vomiting occurs. Seek medical attention if cramps last >1 hour.

*Modified from National Weather Service NWS - Heat Safety and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CDC - Heat-Related Illnesses

Resources

EveryParentOC Stay Cool: Summer Heat Tips
CDC: Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness English | Spanish
CDPH: Safe Pregnancies in Extreme Heat
HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Extreme Heat English | Spanish
CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): Fast Facts: Protecting Yourself from Heat Stress English | Spanish | Vietnamese
National Weather Service: Heat Safety – learn about Excessive Heat, the Heat Index and Heat Disorders - Heat -- A Major Killer

About Dr. Michele Cheung
Dr. Michele Cheung is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases and also completed a Preventive Medicine Residency and a master’s degree in public health (MPH). She is the MCAH (Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health) Medical Director for the OC Health Care Agency where she collaborates closely with the community on initiatives to support perinatal, infant, and child health and wellbeing. She has been working in public health, both local and state, in different capacities for the past 25 years. She also cared for children with infectious diseases in the hospital setting until 2024 and regularly teaches pediatricians-in-training about public health and communicable diseases.

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