In one week, recourse to SOS Médecins for heat stroke increased by 17%, with 324 weekly cases among those aged 15 and over. The dehydration indicator is also on the rise.
With 37 ° degrees expected in Toulouse this afternoon and 30 ° in Paris, it continues to be very hot in France. And this wave of strong heat has direct consequences on the health of the most fragile or unwary. In its national newsletter dated July 23, the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (Invs) reveals that over the past week, the dehydration indicator is on the rise. Likewise, recourse to SOS Médecins for heat stroke is increasing (+ 17%, with 324 cases per week) among those aged 15 and over. Far from being trivial, heat stroke is a medical emergency that can be fatal without prompt care, which is why the Ministry of Health recalls the attitude to adopt when one is a victim.
Symptoms
They are numerous. Among them, a high body temperature which can reach and exceed 40 ° C. In this case, the body can no longer regulate its temperature and the following symptoms may appear: hot, red and dry skin, severe headaches, confusion and loss of consciousness. Seizures, great weakness / fatigue or muscle cramps may possibly occur
How to react
The saving gesture is to ask for medical assistance as soon as possible. Call 15 immediately. In the meantime, perform the cooling maneuvers, place the subject in the shade and cool it by spraying it with cold water and ventilating it, or give a cold shower or a cool bath. When you are the victim of heat stroke, do not take any medication on your own to reduce fever or against pain (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, aspirin at a dose greater than 500 mg / day or paracetamol). These drugs are likely to worsen the exhaustion-dehydration syndrome and heat stroke, some of them notably impair kidney function.
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