Elderly people and children rushed to hospital due to heat

In recent days, Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces have entered extremely hot days, many people have been hospitalized for digestive diseases, upper respiratory infections, sunstroke, heatstroke. Medical experts warn that high-risk groups, if not taking appropriate preventive measures, can lead to dangerous complications.

The patient was struggling and exhausted.

Recently, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City admitted a male patient (34 years old, a technology driver) in a state of prolonged fatigue, rapid heartbeat, and profuse sweating. After examination, doctors said the patient was exhausted due to working outdoors in the hot sun, leading to prolonged dehydration. The patient was advised to rest and adjust his lifestyle.

Dr. Kieu Xuan Thy, Deputy Head of Facility 3 of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, said that every day the unit receives about 20-30 cases due to the effects of the heat. Most of the patients are tired and exhausted after working long hours in the sun.

At People's Hospital 115, Dr. Le Anh Tuan, Head of the General Planning Department, said that in recent days, the number of elderly patients admitted to the hospital has increased compared to the same period last year due to the prolonged hot weather. Most of them are upper respiratory tract infections or gastrointestinal diseases such as acute diarrhea and dehydration.

At Children's Hospital 2, according to the reporter's records at noon on May 17, at the Examination Department, there were still many parents and children waiting for their turn to see a doctor. Holding a stack of bills and prescriptions to fan her child, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai (mother of patient TTTTr., 17 months old, living in Binh Thanh district) said that in the past few days, the child had been vomiting and had a poor appetite due to the hot weather. Statistics from Children's Hospital 2 show that since the beginning of the year, the number of children coming to see a doctor for diseases related to hot weather has fluctuated between 15,000 and 26,000 children/month, equivalent to about 600 and 900 visits/day.

Doctors at Children's Hospital 2, Ho Chi Minh City, examine a child patient.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, Head of the Examination Department of Children's Hospital 2, said that with the hot weather in recent days, the number of children coming to the hospital for examination has increased, mainly for respiratory diseases (bronchitis, sore throat...), digestive disorders and skin diseases, and heat shock.

Proactive prevention

According to the Center for Disease Control of Ho Chi Minh City, the forecast is that in the coming time, the hot weather will last for a long time and there will be common infectious diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, meningitis, hand, foot and mouth disease, chickenpox and skin diseases (prickly heat, rash, allergic dermatitis causing itching, eczema) ... Hot weather can aggravate vascular diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction. Sudden changes in temperature (such as from sunny outside to cold room) can cause blood vessels to constrict, blood pressure to fluctuate leading to serious accidents.

To prevent diseases during the hot season, Dr. Truong Thi Ngoc Phu, Children's Hospital 2, recommends that parents create good personal hygiene habits for their children; supplement the necessary amount of water and limit children from playing too long in hot weather because it can easily cause dehydration, exhaustion and infection. If they have to do outdoor activities, they should be instructed to cover their children carefully (wear hats, long-sleeved shirts, etc.), avoid times when the environmental temperature increases and ultraviolet rays are strong during the day (time frame from 10 am to 2 pm)...

According to Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Hang, Deputy Head of the Examination Department, People's Hospital 115, in hot weather, people need to properly hydrate by drinking 2-3 liters of water per day, and adding electrolyte water if sweating a lot. Use fans and air conditioners at 26-280C, avoiding large temperature differences between indoors and outdoors.

For outdoor workers, it is necessary to arrange reasonable working hours, work early or late, avoid harsh sunlight, take breaks and ensure to drink enough water if working outdoors for a long time. People with cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, diabetes need to control blood pressure and blood sugar well, avoid dehydration which causes the risk of stroke.

“When detecting a person with dizziness, headache, nausea, red or pale skin, profuse sweating or on the contrary, hot and dry skin, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, drowsiness... it is necessary to move the patient to a cool, airy place; remove some clothes, cool the body with a damp towel; drink water slowly, avoid drinking too much. At the same time, call an ambulance if you suspect heat stroke, absolutely do not let the patient move on their own,” Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Hang advised.

According to Dr. Du Tuan Quy, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neurology, Children's Hospital 1, the hospital is currently treating 32 cases of meningitis, of which 4 cases have had complications of pus collection. This is an internal medical emergency, inflammation of the membrane covering the brain.

The disease is common in children who are not fully vaccinated. Signs of meningitis in infants include: poor feeding, fussiness, fever, lethargy, bloody stools, fever... For older children, symptoms are often headache, fever, vomiting, photophobia, diarrhea, stiff neck.

THANH AN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nguoi-gia-tre-em-don-dap-nhap-vien-vi-nang-nong-post795720.html