The Health Ministry has urged Malaysians to be alert towards early signs of heat stroke in the wake of the current hot and dry weather.

Its director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told Bernama heat stroke happens when the body temperature exceeds 40.5 degrees Celcius.

A normal human being's temperature is at 37.0 degrees Celcius.

"Among the early symptoms of a heat stroke are a throbbing headache, nausea, lack of perspiration despite the hot weather and a fast pulse.

"Other signs are weak muscles, spasms, vomiting, dry and reddish skin and seizures and blackouts," he said.

Noor Hisham said the high temperature invited complications to the nervous system of the brain, which could result in coma and could cause death.

Hot and dry until May

The Meteorological Department, prior to this, had said the hot and dry weather in the country currently was worse than last year and was expected to continue until mid-May.

Noor Hisham said prolonged exposure to the hot weather, not drinking enough water and dehydration were among the causes of heat stroke.

As such, he suggested placing anyone suffering from a heat stroke in a shaded and cool area.

"The high temperature can be reduced by placing the victim under a fan and wiping his body with a wet towel.

"The patient can also be placed in a pool of water to reduce his temperature and cool him down," he said.

Noor Hisham also urged the public to avoid leisure activities under the sun and to drink a large quantity of water, at least 2.5 litres a day.

- Bernama