Chapter 7- environmental injuries and illnesses

The three types of heat-related illnesses (in order from least to most severe) are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat cramps (painful muscle spasms, usually in the legs and abdomen, caused by loss of fluids and electrolytes as a result of sweating) are often the first sign that the body is having trouble with the heat. Heat exhaustion occurs when fluids lost through sweating are not replaced. Heat stroke is the least common but most severe heat-related illness. It occurs when the body's cooling system is completely overwhelmed and stops working. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency.

rabies

Rabies is a serious infection that attacks the brain and spinal cord and causes death if it is not treated. The virus that causes rabies is spread when an animal that has the disease bites another animal or a person. Wild animals (such as foxes, skunks, bats and raccoons) can carry rabies. Pets and livestock can also carry rabies if they are not vaccinated against it.