Pakistan's summers are becoming deadlier. During the 2024 heatwave, hospitals across Sindh and southern Punjab recorded over 7,900 heat-related admissions and more than 568 deaths. For outdoor workers, the elderly, and children, knowing how to prevent heat stroke is life-saving knowledge. PakVita compiled this guide using advisories from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the CDC so Pakistani families can prepare before temperatures peak.
Check your heat stroke risk before going outdoors this summer.
How to prevent heat stroke comes down to three principles in the NDMA's 2025 heatwave advisory: stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during the hottest hours (11 am to 4 pm), and protect family members who cannot regulate body heat on their own. Applied consistently, these steps reduce risk substantially — and acting fast when symptoms appear saves lives.
Who Is Most at Risk During Pakistan's Heatwaves
Not everyone faces equal danger in extreme heat. Outdoor laborers — construction workers, rickshaw drivers, daily-wage earners — bear the heaviest burden. The 2015 Karachi heatwave killed over 1,200 people, disproportionately affecting working men aged 40 to 70. Children under five and adults over 65 are also at high risk because their bodies cool less efficiently. People with heart disease, kidney problems, or diabetes should exercise extra caution: extreme heat sharply raises the workload on already-stressed organs. If any of these descriptions fit someone in your household, the steps below are urgent reading.
Recognising the Warning Signs Before It Is Too Late
The CDC separates heat exhaustion from heat stroke. Heat exhaustion — the earlier, treatable stage — presents as heavy sweating, pale skin, weakness, and nausea. Heat stroke prevention depends on catching this stage quickly. Heat stroke itself is a medical emergency: sweating may stop, body temperature can reach 40°C or above, and the person may become confused or lose consciousness. If you see confusion, sudden collapse, or dry hot skin in someone who has been in the sun, call for emergency help immediately. Do not wait.
Immediate First Aid: What to Do Right Now
Move the person to shade or a cool indoor area at once — every minute of continued heat exposure increases the risk of organ damage.
Cool them rapidly: apply cool wet cloths to the skin, place ice packs on the neck, armpits, and groin, and fan the person to speed evaporation — the CDC's recommended cooling approach for heat stroke.
Give oral rehydration solution (ORS) only if the person is conscious and able to swallow — home ORS: 1 litre boiled cooled water, six level teaspoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of salt.
Call emergency services or go to the nearest hospital immediately — heat stroke causes organ damage within minutes. Before your next outdoor trip, use PakVita's heat stroke risk checker to gauge your personal risk level.
Practical Prevention Steps for Pakistani Families
Hydrate before you feel thirsty: thirst is a late signal — aim for eight to ten glasses of water daily and more during outdoor activity. The Pakistan-specific water intake calculator on PakVita gives you a personalised daily target.
Avoid outdoor activity between 11 am and 4 pm: the NDMA's 2025 advisory specifically names this window as the highest-risk period — schedule strenuous tasks for early morning or after sunset.
Dress appropriately: wear loose, light-coloured, breathable clothing; cover the head with a cap or dupatta whenever stepping outside during the day.
Keep your home cool: use curtains and shades during daylight to block sunlight from heating indoor spaces — a trapped hot room is dangerous, especially for the elderly and infants.
When to See a Doctor and a Note on Sources
Prolonged summer heat also causes prickly heat rashes, blocked pores, and skin irritation. If symptoms persist beyond 30 minutes of cooling, seek medical care promptly. PakVita sources all health content from DRAP, WHO, BNF, and peer-reviewed studies — see PakVita's editorial and sourcing policy for the full references underpinning this article.
See a doctor promptly if heat exhaustion symptoms do not improve within 30 minutes of moving to a cool environment — delayed treatment can escalate to heat stroke.
Never give ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs to anyone with suspected heat illness — these worsen kidney stress under heat conditions. Paracetamol for fever may be given only after the person has been fully cooled and on a doctor's advice.
Check on vulnerable neighbours and outdoor workers during a heatwave — sudden confusion, a severe headache, or a behavioural change warrants immediate action.
Outdoor workers, the elderly, and young children face the highest heat risk in Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you prevent heat stroke during Pakistan's summer heatwave?
Stay well hydrated throughout the day, avoid outdoor activity between 11 am and 4 pm, and wear loose light-coloured clothing. Protecting children and the elderly from direct sun exposure is especially important. Anyone with a chronic medical condition should consult a doctor before a heatwave period.
Can drinking water prevent heat stroke?
Adequate hydration significantly reduces the risk by supporting the body's sweating mechanism. However, water alone is not sufficient — you must also limit peak-hour sun exposure and reduce exertion. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is more effective than plain water if dehydration has already begun.
What is the first aid treatment for heat stroke in Pakistan?
Move the person to shade, apply cool wet cloths and ice packs to the neck, armpits, and groin, and call emergency services immediately. Give ORS only if the person is conscious. Heat stroke requires hospital treatment — do not delay. Never give ibuprofen or aspirin.
How is heat stroke different from heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is an earlier stage: the person still sweats, feels weak, but remains conscious. Heat stroke is the dangerous emergency: sweating may stop, temperature can exceed 40°C, and confusion or collapse can follow. Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke very quickly without cooling and hydration.
Who is most vulnerable to heat stroke in Pakistan?
Outdoor workers, adults over 65, and children under five are at highest risk. People with heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes are also vulnerable. During Pakistan's summer heatwaves — when temperatures in Karachi and Sindh can reach 44°C or above — anyone without cooling access or adequate water is at risk.
Final Thought
Pakistan's summers demand preparation, not just willpower. Share the first-aid steps in this article with outdoor workers, elderly neighbours, and children before the next heatwave. For more evidence-based Pakistani health information, visit PakVita — a dedicated editorial team committed to plain-language medicine and health guidance.
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