The state of Maryland is reporting its first heat-related fatality of the summer, according to news sources. That was the conclusion of an autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Health officials released few facts about the victim, other than that it was a male between the ages of 18 and 44.
Like many other states, Maryland is in the grip right now of a heat wave caused by high pressure over the nation’s midsection that is ushering in hot, humid air from the South and Southwest and pushing the heat index to near 110 degrees from Arkansas to Minnesota to Michigan.
Maryland has seen its share of heat-related deaths, with 46 occurring in 2012 alone. The state had a total of five heat-related deaths last year.
Signs of heat-related illness include nausea, headache, weakness and flushed skin. Symptoms of heat stroke include high fever; dry, red skin; rapid and weak pulse and breathing; convulsions; and delirium.