DOH: Hospitals ready for heat-related illnesses

MANILA, Philippines — Hospitals are prepared to attend to patients suffering from heat-related illnesses, especially heat stroke, the Department of Health said yesterday.

DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said health facilities are ready to attend to patients needing admission, especially heat stroke cases that require hospitalization.

Herbosa said symptoms of heat stroke include dizziness, fever, loss of consciousness, stiffness and developing skin dryness and redness.

Mild heat illness can be addressed through rest, hydration and cooling down a person’s temperature through a cold compress, he added.

“Our emergency departments are ready to attend to heat-related illnesses,” Herbosa said yesterday at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program.

The DOH advised the public to observe preventive measures to avoid getting sick during summer, reminding particularly the elderly and children to drink plenty of water, aside from avoiding areas with high temperature.