Instructions for protection against extreme weather conditions which are expected in the next few days in our country they gave today to emergency information scientists-members of the Public Health Committee of the Ministry of Health.

In particular, Mr Christos Hatzichristodoulou, Professor of Hygiene & Epidemiology at the University of Thessaly, o Theodoros Vasilakopoulosprofessor of Pulmonology-Intensive Care, EKPA and Vana Papaevangelouprofessor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Greek Academy of Sciences, invited the citizens to be especially careful focusing on vulnerable groups of the population, such as patients with chronic diseases, newborns, children, pregnant women, leprosy.

Earlier, the Ministry of Health issued a circular detailing the instructions for protecting the population from the heat.

“The committee met because we have difficult days in front of us and we want with our intervention to communicate some things to the public and to prevent some situations”Mr. Hatzichristodoulou said, starting the briefing. Focus especially on the elderly saying that these days we must show solidarity and not be left alone. They should not move around during high temperatures, have access to an air-conditioned area, open at night to ventilate the house and take plenty of fluids.

Who is at risk from high temperatures?

• Elderly.

• Babies and toddlers.

• Pregnant and lactating women.

• People who are overweight or obese.

• People who work or exercise vigorously in a hot environment.

• People with chronic diseases (cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lung diseases, kidney diseases, liver diseases, mental illness, dementia, alcoholism or drug abuse, etc.).

• People with acute illnesssuch as infection with fever or gastroenteritis (diarrhea and/or vomiting).

• People who for purely medical reasons they take medicine for their chronic diseases, such as e.g. diuretics, anticholinergics, psychotropic drugs, hormones (including insulin and antidiabetic tablets). Especially during the period of high ambient temperatures, they should consult their doctor about the possible modification of the dosage.

General precautions

• Stay in air-conditioned areas.

• Dress light and comfortable with light colored clothing made of porous material to facilitate the ventilation of the body and the evaporation of sweat.

• Use of a hat from material that allows ventilation of the head.

• Use of black or dark sunglasses with lenses that protect against solar radiation.

• Avoiding sun exposureespecially for infants and the elderly.

• Avoiding heavy physical work.

• Avoiding long journeys with means of transport that do not have air conditioning.

• The Means of Public Transport must ensure the proper operation of their air conditioningtaking into account the general guidelines to better serve the public.

• Lots of lukewarm showers during the day and applying cool patches to the head and neck.

• Small in quantity and light meals low in fat, with an emphasis on fruit and vegetable intake.

• Taking plenty of fluids (of water and fruit juices), especially by infants and the elderly and avoiding alcohol. If sweating is profuse, the additional intake of small doses of salt is recommended.

• People suffering from chronic diseases they should consult their treating physician, from whom they will receive additional instructions depending on their condition, as well as instructions on the possible change in the dosage of their medication.

• The elderly should not be left alonebut to ensure someone for their daily care.

THE Mr. Hatzichristodoulou he also mentioned what not to do.

– Intense physical exercise

– Avoid coffee and alcohol

– Do not use an oven in our home and if we are also near areas with fires we do not need to smoke inside the house and avoid activities that burden the atmosphere of our home.

Protection of babies and toddlers

Children belong to the high risk groups, said Mrs. Papaevangelou. Toddlers and infants are at the greatest risk of dehydration, therefore to remain inside the house during the hours, 12 noon to 5 pmcharacteristically telling them not to even go out on the veranda.

“The umbrella does not protect”emphasized and recommended to parents to take children to the sea in the morning or late afternoon, to use sunscreen, hat, glasses. “Not on the beach at noon”he emphasized.

Dehydration in children is manifested by vomiting and fever, but at the same time there is a flare-up of gastroenteritis, therefore they are even more vulnerable to dehydration and parents should contact pediatricians when symptoms are present. We don’t wait for children to be thirsty, we must constantly offer fluids to infants and young children.

Treatment of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Mr. Vasilakopoulos focused on heat exhaustion and heatstrokegiving useful tips for recognizing and dealing with them.

Thermal exhaustion

• Profuse sweating

• Cold, pale and clammy skin

• Fast, weak heartbeat

• Nausea or vomiting

• Muscle cramps

• Fatigue or weakness

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Fainting

What to do:

• Move to a cool location

• Loosen your clothes

• Apply cool, damp clothing to the body or take a cool bath

• Drink a few sips of water

Seek medical help immediately if:

• You are vomiting

• Symptoms worsen

• Symptoms last more than an hour

Heat stroke

• High body temperature

• Irritated, red, dry or moist skin

• Fast and strong heartbeat

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Motion sickness

• Confusion

• Fainting

What to do:

• Call an ambulance

• Move the person to a cooler place

• Ensure the person’s body temperature drops by providing cool clothing or giving them a cool bath

• Do not give the person water to drink by mouth

He also referred to the protection of the elderly and people with chronic respiratory and cardiac problems.

As he said, patients must modify their medication after first contacting the attending physician.

He also talked about combination of heat and fires and he said that even if we don’t have a health problem, if we feel a strong cough, strong tightness in the chest, strong discomfort, we don’t say it’s okay, because it’s not normal. If I get sick severe symptoms I have a health problem and I don’t know it like asthma or COPD. In this case I refer to a pulmonologist.