AS TEMPERATURES SOAR THIS WEEK, THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS OFFERING INFORMATION ABOUT HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES.
THE MOST SERIOUS CONDITION IS HEAT STROKE SAYS STATE PUBLIC HEALTH CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER DOCTOR ARTI BARNES. SHE GIVES SOME OF THE WARNING SIGNS.
BARNES SAYS IF SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCE THOSE SYMPTOMS OR OTHERS LIKE CONFUSION, SLURRED SPEECH OR SEIZURES, YOU SHOULD CALL 9-1-1.
HEAT EXHAUSTION CAN PROGRESS TO HEAT STROKE IF LEFT UNTREATED. THAT’S WHEN A PERSON’S TEMPERATURE REACHES 104 DEGREES OR HIGHER, THEIR SKIN IS VERY HOT AND THEY MAY HAVE CONFUSION AND A RAPID PULSE. IN THAT CASE, BARNES SAYS YOU SHOULD CALL 9-1-1.
