Outdoor temperatures will remain dangerously high going into this weekend and public health officials are reminding everyone the differences for heat-related illnesses.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says heat-related illnesses happen when there are high temperatures and humidity, and strenuous outdoor activity. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio the most mild heat-related illness is heat cramps. Wolf notes this is when someone is heavily sweating, body fatigue, thirsty and having muscle cramps. She recommends getting that person into shade or air conditioning and have them drink fluids with electrolytes.

“If your body is cramping or you get to the point where you’re thirsting, you’re already beyond not getting enough fluids in.” 

Wolf notes heat exhaustion often follows heat cramps where the individual may have headaches, dizziness, cold and clammy skin, a fast and weak pulse, signs of fainting, and have excessive thirst. She advises to treat heat exhaustion by having the person lay down indoors with air conditioning or in some shade if outdoors and have them sipping fluids, along with a cool shower or placing ice packs in armpits and groin.

Wolf says the most severe heat-related illness is heat stroke. She describes the symptoms as confusion along with headaches, loss of consciousness, hot and red skin, a high and rapid heart rate and the core body temperature is 104 degrees or higher. Wolf states that these individuals should seek medical assistance.

“Immediate attention to an emergency room is important because we’ve got to prevent the permanent damage that could occur to the brain and other vital organs, and then that could cause death.”  

The temperatures are to be in the 90s this weekend, with the possibility of a heat index into the triple digits.