Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can be diagnosed by assessing your symptoms and taking your temperature.
A temperature of 40°C (104°F) or above is often a major sign of heatstroke, although it can be diagnosed at lower temperatures, and some people can reach these temperatures during physical exercise without developing heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Read more about the symptoms of heatstroke.
Further testing
If you have heatstroke, further tests may be recommended to determine whether your body has experienced any additional damage. These tests may include:
- a blood test to check the state of your liver or to see whether damage to your nervous system has led to gases and acids being released into your blood
- urine test – to see if your kidneys have been damaged
- imaging tests, such as a MRI scan or CT scan to see whether any other organs have been damaged
