Living, working in August heat can sicken, kill; watch for early signs and treat victims quickly

Yeah, it's hot out there, but Wilkes County EMS operations director Tina Bailey says it's not just hot, potentially it's deadly hot.

She wants to warn everyone in the county to watch for the early symptoms of heat illness so they can get help before they get ill.

"The early signs are profuse sweating, fatigue, thirst, and muscle cramps with excessive breathing and rapid pulse rate," she said. If you don't get cooled off at that

point, you may move into the next stage of heat exhaustion. "The later symptoms of heat exhaustion," she said, "are a headache, dizziness and lightheadedness, weakness, and nausea and vomiting. Your skin feels cool and moist, and urine is dark."

Without treatment, heat illness can progress into a life-threatening heat stroke. "The symptoms of heat stroke," Bailey said, "include fever above 104 degrees, irrational behavior, and extreme confusion. The person with heat stroke will have dry, hot and red skin, rapid, shallow breathing, and a rapid, weak pulse. They may have seizures and lapse into unconsciousness."

But when do you call for help? "Call 911 immediately for medical assistance if the person loses consciousness at any time, or if there is any change in their mental status from alertness to confusion or seizures. Call if they have a fever greater than 102 degrees or if their condition doesn't improve or worsens despite treatment."

When you see the first signs of heat illness in someone, she said, they need immediate first aid. "Have the person lie down in the coolest place you can find and elevate their feet about 12 inches. Apply cool, wet cloths - or cool water directly- to the person's skin, and use a fan if available to lower body temperature. Place cold compresses to the person's neck, groin and armpits."

If the person is alert, she said, you can give them sips of beverages such as Gatorade, water, or make a salted drink by adding a teaspoon of salt per quart of water. Have them drink at least half a cup every 15 minutes.

But it's better to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke in the first place. "You can avoid heat illness by wearing loose-fitting clothing, resting frequently, and seeking shade whenever it's possible. Avoid exercise or strenuous physical activity outside during hot, humid weather, and drink plenty of fluids - avoiding alcohol."

And it goes without saying that children or pets should never be left in hot cars, "not even for a minute."

For more information on heat illness, call Wilkes County EMS at 706-678-7837.

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