DOH warns public vs heat stroke

Stay out of the sun. Wear light-colored clothes. Wear a hat. Drink lots of cold water.

The Department of Health (DOH) gave these tips on Monday to help the public avoid heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition, during the summer season.

The DOH stressed that the risk of heat stroke, which was considered a medical emergency, increased during hot and humid conditions.

“To avoid heat stroke, people should drink lots of water and avoid physical activity for long periods of time outdoors or under the heat of the sun,” said Dr. Eric Tayag, DOH spokesperson.

“Heat stroke can mimic heart attacks and strokes. More vulnerable to this are senior citizens, as well as those who work on the field like traffic enforcers,” he said.

Heat stroke occurs when the body overheats. When untreated, it can damage the brain, heart and kidneys, resulting in serious complications or even death.

Symptoms include dizziness, fainting, headache, intense thirst and dehydration, and a very high temperature and rapid heartbeat, among others.

When exposure to the sun is unavoidable, he said people should wear wide-brimmed hats.

In case of heat stroke, the patient must be immediately moved to a shady area or indoors and have him or her lie down with the legs elevated, the health official advised.

Ice or ice packs must be applied to the armpits, wrists, ankles and the groin; and cool water on the skin to lower temperature, he said, adding that the patient must be immediately transferred to a hospital after receiving first aid.

Tayag likewise reminded the public that swimming in dirty bodies of water, like Manila Bay, was dangerous, especially for children.

He explained that there was a tendency for small microorganisms to enter the openings of the body during swimming in dirty water, which was definitely not safe and not recommended.

“The problem is that there is a possibility that small children may accidentally drink some volume of water as they plunge to it (dirty bodies of water). Another danger is when the dirty water enters in the body openings such as nose and eyes,” he said.

“It is also important that the children are accompanied by an adult while they swim to avoid incidences of drowning,” he said.