What are the symptoms of heat stroke?

Heat stroke is a severe form of heat illness, characterized by a failure of the body's thermoregulatory system. The primary symptoms of heat stroke include an elevated body temperature (usually over 104°F or 40°C), altered mental state or confusion, hot dry skin (as opposed to clammy skin, which is associated with other heat-related illnesses), and cessation of sweating.

When the body reaches a critical level of heat exposure, it can no longer cool itself effectively through sweating, leading to dangerously high internal temperatures. This is why a key indicator of heat stroke is hot, dry skin, as the body has ceased to perspire, which is the typical method of thermoregulation. Recognizing these symptoms is essential for prompt treatment to prevent serious outcomes, including organ damage or death.

Other symptoms not mentioned in this correct choice include rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and potential loss of consciousness. The other options include symptoms that can be attributed to heat exhaustion or other heat-related illnesses, which do not fully capture the life-threatening nature of heat stroke.