ABSTRACT
Heat stroke describes the syndrome produced by over-heating of the body core. It is an uncommon but severe form of heat illness that may be rapidly fatal. The rectal temperature is >40.5°C and sweating may stop. There is often severe metabolic upset with increase in metabolic rate and oxygen consumption. The mortality is high (10%) and may result from shock, arrhythmias, myocardial ischaemia, renal failure and neurological dysfunction. Complication and death are more related to the underlying disease than to the actual temperature.
