New Delhi: Delhi recorded two confirmed heat stroke cases on Thursday, marking the first such incidents of the season. The patients included a 24-year-old student who collapsed while traveling by train and a middle-aged man found unconscious on the streets. Doctors at ABVIMS and Dr RML Hospital reported that the first patient arrived around 1:45 am and the second around 10:45 am. Both required emergency cooling and intensive care intervention.
First Patient: Student from West Bengal
The student, a resident of West Bengal, was brought to the hospital by attendants after developing a body temperature above 105°F while traveling to Delhi by train. He exhibited hyperpyrexia, an extremely high temperature, along with altered mental status and urinary incontinence. Doctors noted that he had no known pre-existing illnesses, and most other possible causes were ruled out before diagnosing heat stroke. This is the first heat stroke case recorded this season.
Initially suspected to be a stroke-like neurological event, the patient underwent an NCCT head scan, which came back normal. After a detailed evaluation and exclusion of other causes of high-grade fever, doctors made a provisional diagnosis of heat stroke. The emergency medicine team reported that his Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was E1V1M1, indicating severe neurological impairment. He was immediately intubated for airway protection.
The patient was shifted to the hospital's dedicated heat stroke unit, where doctors initiated aggressive cooling measures. These included cold-water immersion, cold saline infusion, ice sponging, and active cooling of the axilla and groin regions. Doctors said that his body temperature dropped from 105°F to 102°F after treatment. Initial tests found no evidence of poisoning, alcohol, or drug intake, helping doctors narrow the diagnosis toward heat stroke. He remains critical and is being managed under the department of medicine.
Second Patient: Middle-Aged Man Found Unconscious
The second patient, a man aged around 50 years, was brought unconscious to the emergency department by a police team. He had altered mental status and an axillary temperature of 104°F. Since no attendants were present, doctors could not immediately obtain his medical history. On examination, the patient had a GCS score of E1V1M2, indicating severe neurological compromise.
Dr. (Prof) Amlendu Yadav, in-charge of the heat stroke unit at ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital, said that the patient was immediately intubated and placed on ventilator support due to his critical condition. “He was treated as a suspected case of heat stroke, and ice-cold water immersion therapy was started immediately,” Dr. Yadav said. Doctors reported that active cooling for 15 minutes reduced the patient's rectal temperature to 100°F. The patient has shown initial signs of improvement.
“This case highlights the importance of early recognition and rapid treatment of heat-related emergencies during hot weather,” Dr. Yadav added.
Understanding Heat Stroke
Doctors explained that heat stroke occurs when the body loses its ability to regulate temperature, often pushing body temperature above 104°F. Symptoms can include confusion, altered behavior, unconsciousness, dizziness, and seizures. Immediate cooling and urgent medical care are critical to prevent organ failure and death.
