Heatstroke management during the COVID-19 epidemic: recommendations from the experts in Japan

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Fever and hyperthermia are common symptoms of both COVID-19 and heatstroke, complicating differential diagnosis.
• The COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need for clear guidelines on heatstroke prevention and medical management.
• Existing medical protocols required adaptation to address the unique challenges posed by the concurrent epidemics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop comprehensive guidance for heatstroke prevention and medical treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To provide essential information for emergency medical personnel, including paramedics and nurses.
• To address the clinical practice needs arising from the overlap in symptoms and public health concerns.

Main Methods:

• A joint working group was established by the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, the Japanese Society for Emergency Medicine, the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, and the Japanese Respiratory Society.
• Existing proposals on heatstroke prevention during the pandemic were reviewed and expanded upon.
• Guidance was formulated based on expert consensus and the specific context of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Main Results:

• "Proposals on heatstroke prevention based on the COVID-19 epidemic" were issued on June 1, 2020.
• The guidance addresses both preventative measures and clinical treatment strategies for heatstroke.
• Recommendations are tailored for healthcare professionals involved in emergency care.

Conclusions:

• Clinical practice guidance is necessary for both heatstroke prevention and medical treatment in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The established guidelines aim to improve patient outcomes by clarifying management strategies.
• This supplementary recommendation serves as a crucial resource for healthcare providers during overlapping health crises.