‘Heatstroke, dehydration, food-borne infections risk high in hot weather’

Srinagar, Jul 2: As Kashmir continues to witness rising summer temperatures, health experts have issued a comprehensive public health advisory urging people to take precautions against heat-related illnesses and food-borne infections, which become increasingly common during hot weather.
The advisory, issued for public health awareness by Dr S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Professor in the Department of Community Medicine at Government Medical College Srinagar, highlights that increasing temperatures can significantly raise the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and infections caused by contaminated food and water.
Health experts warned that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to several heat-related conditions. Heat exhaustion is characterised by heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea, while dehydration presents with excessive thirst, dry mouth, dark-coloured urine, and reduced urine output.
The advisory warns that heat stroke is the most dangerous heat-related illness, with symptoms including a body temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, confusion, loss of consciousness, rapid pulse, and collapse, requiring immediate hospital care. People are also advised to protect themselves against sunburn and heat rash.
Doctors have urged the public to seek medical help immediately in cases of persistent vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, high fever, severe abdominal pain, prolonged diarrhoea lasting more than 48 hours, or signs of severe dehydration such as dizziness, confusion, and very dark urine. “Early medical care can save lives. Delaying treatment may lead to serious complications,” the advisory states.
The advisory warns that hot weather creates ideal conditions for bacteria to multiply rapidly in food left at room temperature, increasing the risk of food poisoning, acute gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, cholera, hepatitis A and E, and dysentery. People have been advised to avoid uncovered street food, cut fruits sold in the open, chutneys and sauces kept without refrigeration, cooked rice, meat, chicken, kebabs, and biryani left outside for several hours. Milk products, cream pastries, improperly stored ice cream, unpasteurised milk, and fresh juices prepared with contaminated water have also been identified as high-risk items.
Health experts advise drinking 2.5 to 3.5 litres of water daily, monitoring urine colour, and carrying drinking water in steel or glass bottles instead of single-use plastic. Other preventive measures include eating freshly prepared hot food, washing hands before meals, cleaning fruits and vegetables thoroughly, refrigerating leftovers promptly, avoiding raw or undercooked meat and seafood, and using Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) at the first sign of diarrhoea. The advisory also discourages excessive consumption of alcohol, sugary soft drinks, tea, and coffee.
Special care has been advised for young children, elderly persons, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses, and outdoor workers. Recommendations include avoiding direct sunlight between 11 am and 4 pm, wearing loose cotton clothing, caps and sunglasses, taking breaks in shaded areas, using fans and coolers effectively, and keeping homes well ventilated. People have also been reminded never to leave children, elderly individuals, or pets inside parked vehicles.
“A healthy Kashmir begins with safe choices. Stay cool, stay hydrated, eat safe, and protect yourself as well as your loved ones. A little caution today can prevent serious illness tomorrow,” Dr Khan said. (KNO)