Objective: To present a case of severe heat stroke after Rugby League football.
Clinical features: A 29-year-old Rugby League forward with a mild infection of the upper respiratory tract collapsed while playing football in late March, when the ambient temperature was 24.1 degrees C and the relative humidity up to 73%. He was initially thought to have sustained a head injury and was markedly dehydrated. He suffered severe disseminated intravascular coagulation and gross neurological, renal and hepatic disturbances.
Intervention and outcome: He required repeated haemodialysis, assisted ventilation and supportive therapy and remained unconscious for 10 days. He then recovered fully.
Conclusion: Heat stroke is potentially fatal and can be easily mistaken for head injury in contact sports. When players are dehydrated, have febrile illness and play in warm conditions, they may succumb to heat stroke.