Patient discussions
Inform the patient at risk of heat stroke or heat exhaustion about the dangers of heat illness and advise them to maintain adequate hydration, avoid heat exposure, and wear loose and light clothing during hot weather. PHE: heatwave plan for England Opens in new window
Advise people who exercise or exert themselves (e.g., firefighters, soldiers, construction workers) to avoid high-exertion activities when exposed to heat or hot areas, and to acclimatise with 1 to 2 hours per day of heat-exposed exertion for at least 8 days.[1]
Inform the patient of the signs of heat illness, and advise them to remove themselves from the heat if any signs appear. Cooling by immersing themselves in a shallow pool of cool water, or wetting the skin and clothes with cool water and fanning, can aid in dissipating heat and may avert the onset of heat stroke. Advise the patient to seek immediate medical care if they suspect they are experiencing heat stroke. PHE: heatwave plan for England Opens in new window
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