Temperatures to remain in the 90s this week
As Newport News treads through the warm weather of summer, keep in mind the tips available through the Virginia Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control to help everyone stay cool and know the signs of too much heat exposure.
Older adults (65 years and older), infants and children and people with chronic medical conditions are more likely to experience heat stress. People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to adapt and properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But in some instances, sweating just isn't enough. In such cases, a person's body temperature rises rapidly.
Heat stroke happens when the body cannot regulate its temperature and the temperature quickly escalates. It can cause death or permanent disability if not treated immediately. Warning signs include but are not limited to an extremely high body temperature above 103°F orally, red, hot, and dry skin with no sweating, rapid and strong pulse, throbbing headache, nausea, confusion, or dizziness. A person with these symptoms should move to a shady area and cool rapidly using whatever methods available. Do not give the person fluids to drink and get medical assistance as soon as possible.
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. It is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment.
Warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness or fainting. If the symptoms are severe or the person has heart problems or high blood pressure, get medical attention immediately if any of the following happens: Otherwise, help the victim to cool off, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.
To protect a person’s health when temperatures are extremely high, remember to keep cool and use common sense.
• Increase fluid intake, regardless of activity level. Don't wait on thirst to drink.
• Spend time in locations with air-conditioning
• Don't drink liquids that contain alcohol, or large amounts of sugar—these actually decrease body fluid. Avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• If working outside for 2 or more hours, it is important to have a glass of water every 15-20 minutes
• Wear light colored, loose clothing.
• Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours and in places of potential severe exposure such as beaches.
• Do not leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car.
• Provide plenty of fresh water for pets and leave the water in a shady area