GAUTENG. – The Emergency Support Team (EST) has urged Pretoria residents during warm weather to drink water regularly, avoid prolonged sun exposure and check on each other. The team warns that heat stroke is a medical emergency and that people must call for help immediately if someone becomes seriously ill after heat exposure. Pretoria's maximum temperature is expected to reach 34 to 35 °C today (Friday), with cooler conditions by Sunday.
According to the Mayo Clinic, heat stroke occurs when the body overheats rapidly and can no longer cool itself. It can also happen indoors if someone stays in a very warm room for too long, or during strenuous work or exercise in the heat. Without prompt treatment, heat stroke can damage the brain and other vital organs.
Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke if the person continues to overheat and does not cool down in time. Heat stroke can also develop suddenly, without any preceding signs of heat exhaustion.
- Heat exhaustion is often accompanied by heavy sweating, pale and clammy skin, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or muscle cramps.
- Heat stroke can cause a very high body temperature, confusion, slurred speech, rapid breathing, seizures or loss of consciousness. The person's skin may feel hot and dry, but the person may also still be sweating heavily.
What to do
For heat exhaustion, move the person to a cool place, loosen tight clothing and cool the skin with cool, wet towels. Give small sips of water if the person is fully awake and can swallow normally. Get medical help immediately if the person vomits, gets worse or still has symptoms after one hour.
If you suspect heat stroke, call 112 from a mobile phone or 10177 for an ambulance immediately. Move the person out of the heat and begin cooling them immediately while help is on the way. Wet the skin with cool water and use a fan, or place cool, wet towels against the neck, armpits and groin. Do not give the person anything to drink.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) expects heat wave conditions to continue through today. According to SAWS, the affected areas include Gauteng, the North West, the Free State excluding the south-western parts, the north-east of the Northern Cape and areas in the south and south-west of Limpopo.
Sources: Emergency Support Team (EST), Mayo Clinic, CDC, SAnews
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
