Mortality from Non-Exertional Heat Stroke Still High in India

Heat stroke is characterized by hyperthermia, defined as a body core temperature above 40 °C and dysfunction of the central nervous system resulting in delirium, seizures or coma. Case fatality from heat stroke is high, despite lowering body temperature, and survivors may suffer from irreversible brain damage. The spectrum of complications in heat stroke include organ dysfunction involving brain, skeletal muscles, kidney, liver, intestines, lung, pancreas and blood. The first report of death due to hyperthermia dates back to 1946. The first report of death from hyperthermia from India was in 1975.