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

Due to the high temperatures being recorded today, the Medical and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health remind the public of the following:

General precautionary guidelines

1. Avoid frequent exposure to the sun, unnecessary movement and heavy physical exercise or physical labor
2. Dress lightly in loose light-colored clothing and wear a hat and sunglasses if exposed to the sun
3. Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeinated beverages. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids (water and fruit juices)
4. Light, small, low-fat meals are recommended, with emphasis on fruit and vegetables
5. Use of fans or air conditioning systems to create an air current, especially during the hottest hours of the day
6. Particular attention should be paid to vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly and pregnant women. If there is a newborn in the home, ask the paediatrician for instructions on fluid intake
7. People suffering from chronic illnesses, such as respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, are advised to consult their doctor about any special measures to be taken
8. Never leave infants in a closed car
9. Never leave infants in a closed car, elderly people, pets

Who is most at risk

1. Infants, young children and elderly people (especially elderly people who live alone and have no one to help them on hot days)
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 - exhaust fumes)
4. People suffering from chronic diseases (e.g.(e.g. diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure, blood pressure disorders, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, lung disease, obesity, mental illness, dementia, alcoholism)
5. People taking certain medications (e.g. insulin, antidiabetics, diuretics, anticholinergics, psychotropics)
6. Women during pregnancy
7. People with disabilities
8. People who are socially isolated

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

Heatstroke syndrome, manifested by:

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

If the above symptoms occur, people are advised to contact their personal physician.

(DK)
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