ABSTRACT:
Heat stroke is a very common illness in adolescents affecting over 90% of males and 80% of females in all ethnic groups. Heat stroke significantly affects physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that can lead to elevated morbidity and mortality rates. It is one of the distressing conditions that affect the majority of the adolescents. Heat related illnesses are increasing with increased global warming. Greater awareness regarding them will help in recognizing and treating these disorders at an early stage. Heat stroke is a preventable fatality warranting a high index of clinical suspicion in appropriate setting. Public education on heat illnesses, behavioural changes, enforced rests and fluid protocols, acclimatisation and ready availability of cooling facilities in hot aspects will help decrease morbidity and mortality due to heat stroke, because the mortality and morbidity rate from heat stroke are related to duration of temperature. When therapy is delayed, the mortality rate may be as high as 80% if early diagnosed it can be reduced to 10%. India is a place where the temperature rises during summer in many regions which make people suffer and prone for heat stroke. Exposure to extreme heat (hot sun) is thought to play a major role to cause Heat stroke in adolescents. Psychological stress may exacerbate Heat stroke. Prevalence of heat stroke is more in adolescents. Hence it is very essential for adolescents to have enough knowledge of heat stroke and its prevention. To develop competency skills in managing and preventing heat stroke structured teaching programme is very essential to achieve knowledge in depth about Heat stroke and its prevention.