[PIO] Recommendations of the Ministry of Health for dealing with the heatwave

Due to the high temperatures recorded in our country, the Medical Services and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health remind the public of the following:

General precautionary guidelines

Avoid frequent exposure to the sun, unnecessary movement and heavy physical exercise or physical labor. It is advisable to choose shady and cool places and avoid crowded places

1. Dress lightly in loose light-coloured clothing and wear a hat and sunglasses if exposed to the sun
2. Avoid alcoholic beverages,
3. Avoiding alcoholic beverages, avoiding alcohol and coffee and preferring light, low-fat meals with emphasis on fruit and vegetables
4. Taking plenty of fluids (water and fruit juice)
5. Using fans or air conditioning systems to create an air current especially during the hottest hours of the day. During the night it is advisable to keep windows open
6. Take plenty of lukewarm showers during the day
7. Particular attention should be paid to vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly and pregnant women. If there is a newborn in the house, it is recommended that it be lightly dressed. Ask the paediatrician for instructions on fluid intake
8. People suffering from chronic illnesses, such as respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, are advised to consult their doctor for any special measures to be taken
9. Avoid as much as possible the use of the oven and kitchen to avoid further increasing the temperature of your home
10. Never leave infants, elderly people, pets in a closed car
11. Never leave infants, elderly people, pets in a closed car.

Who is most at risk

1. Infants, young children and the elderly (especially elderly people living alone)
2. People who work or exercise intensively outdoors and indoors with high temperature and humidity
3. People who are in areas with increased air pollution (industrial areas)
4. People suffering from chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure, blood pressure disorders, cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, lung diseases, obesity)
5. People taking certain medications (e.g. insulin, antidiabetics, diuretics, anticholinergics, psychotropics, etc.)
6. Women during pregnancy
7. People with disabilities

Symptoms of high temperatures

Initial symptoms may include:

1. severe headache
2. weakness
3. feeling of being overwhelmed
4. tendency to faint
5. drop in blood pressure
6. nausea
7. vomiting
8. palpitations

The syndrome of heatstroke, is manifested by:

1. sudden increase in body temperature ( >40.5oC)
2. red, red, hot and dry skin (sweating has stopped)
3. dry swollen tongue
4. palpitation
5. tachypnea
6. intense thirst
7. headache
8. nausea
9. vomiting
10. dizziness
11. confusion
12. inability to orient and speak clearly
13. aggressive or strange behaviour
14. convulsions
15. loss of consciousness or coma

Warning !

When the above symptoms are noticed, consult your personal physician or call for immediate medical attention.

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