HEAT STROKE. STANDARIZED TREATMENT PLAN

Heat stroke, or sun stroke, is defined as an emergency situation characterized by an increase in central body temperature above 40 degrees C and alterations in the central nervous system where encephalopathy predominates and coma is typical [1]. A precocious diagnosis is essential and if the initial opportune measures are not taken, the death rate is very high, up to 70%. Due to climate changes, the number of heat stroke cases has increased since the 2003 heat wave [2-4]. Although at first symptoms these cases are treated in hospital emergency wards or outpatient wards, when the severity of a person stricken by heat stroke becomes life-threatening or advanced medical care is warranted, patients are placed in Intensive Medical Care Wards. Even though cases of heat stroke are low, its lethalness converts it to a serious life-threatening circumstance due to thermal regulation deterioration, adverse neurological effects, and secondary multi-organ dysfunction.