Ministry of Health guides on how to protect health during prolonged cold weather

Recently, in the Northern and North Central regions, there has been severe cold, affecting the health of people and workers, especially those at high risk such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, asthma, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal diseases, workers working outdoors or in cold environments.

In order to proactively protect people's health from prolonged cold weather, the Department of Health Environment Management has recently developed a Guide to Health Care in the Cold Season to help people have basic knowledge about some common health problems in the cold season.

In the document sent to the Department of Health of the following provinces and cities: Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Yen Bai, Son La, Hoa Binh, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ha Nam, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue on strengthening guidance on measures to protect public health and workers during the cold season, the Department of Environmental Management requested to direct relevant units to organize the implementation of the Guidance document for grassroots health workers; strengthen propaganda, dissemination, and guidance on preventive measures to protect the health of the community and workers.

Who is susceptible to health problems when cold?

According to the instructions of the Department of Health Environment Management, in the cold season, you may encounter some common health problems such as: colds, asthma, sore throat, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, flu, stroke, carbon monoxide poisoning due to heating, cooking...

The main cause is due to prolonged exposure or working in cold environments or it can also be due to sudden changes in environmental temperature.

Some high-risk groups include: the elderly, children and pregnant women; people who work outdoors or in cold, windy environments with little sunlight: agricultural workers, factory workers...; people with chronic diseases: high blood pressure, asthma, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease...

How to keep the elderly and children cool?

For the elderly and children: Limit going outdoors when the weather is too cold and windy, especially between 9pm and 6am.

When going out, you should wear enough warm clothes to block the wind, such as a coat, long pants thick enough to keep warm, a scarf, hat, gloves, socks, mask...

Always keep your body dry, avoid getting wet, especially the neck, hands, and feet when going out and sleeping to limit illnesses caused by colds.

Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, charcoal smoke, and do not drink alcohol, especially people in mountainous areas need to pay attention because drinking alcohol causes blood vessels to constrict, causing high blood pressure, which can lead to stroke and death. Avoid drinks containing stimulants such as caffeine.

Do not bathe after 10pm, bathe for too long or bathe in an open place because it can easily cause heat shock, which is dangerous to your life. Use warm water to bathe and clean your body;

It is necessary to clean the mouth and throat regularly every day, such as brushing teeth regularly before and after waking up; Gargling with warm water mixed with diluted salt helps disinfect the throat and limit sore throat.

Wash your hands often with soap to remove bacteria; get vaccinated to prevent flu.

Eat and drink enough nutrients to ensure the body has enough energy to fight the cold. Daily meals need to include all 4 basic groups of nutrients (starch, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals).

For heavy workers, the elderly, and children, it is necessary to provide more starch, protein, fat, and vitamins than in other seasons to increase the body's heat to fight the cold, especially supplementing vitamins A and C to increase the body's resistance. Avoid eating cold foods and foods that have just been taken out of the refrigerator because it can easily make the body cold.

People with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, musculoskeletal disease... who have been diagnosed must pay attention to following the principles of taking medication, having a reasonable exercise and nutrition regimen according to the doctor's instructions.

Regular exercise and sports help warm the body, improve resistance and tolerance to cold weather conditions;

Regularly update weather information on all media.

People who have to work in cold weather

If you have to work outdoors, keep your body warm and work at a slow pace;

It is necessary to keep the body, hands and feet dry, avoid moisture, especially workers working outdoors, in mines... Wear a mask while working to protect the respiratory tract.

On cold and rainy days, when working outdoors, you must be fully equipped with and use protective gear such as waterproof jackets, raincoats, hats, cotton-padded gloves and waterproof outer layers; warm and waterproof boots... because wet clothes and hair will quickly lose heat, causing the body to get cold.

When going out in cold weather, it is essential to wear warm clothes, especially to keep your neck and chest warm. While working, if you feel hot, you should gradually take off some clothes.

To have enough energy to work and fight the cold, workers need to eat enough nutrients, especially fat and carbohydrates, and should eat hot food.

Do not use charcoal or honeycomb coal for burning and heating in closed rooms.

According to the instructions of the Department of Health Environment Management, to prevent CO (Carbon Dioxide) poisoning in the home, people absolutely do not use charcoal or honeycomb coal to burn and heat in closed rooms. If the weather is too cold and you have to use coal, only use it for a short time, open the door slightly to ensure ventilation and only heat when people are awake; do not use heating overnight and keep the room door closed.

Infrared heaters (heaters, heaters, stoves, etc.) should not be placed near children or the elderly because infrared rays carry heat that directly affects the skin's surface, causing dry skin, dry nose, and a high risk of burns and fires.

The best distance when placing these heaters is about 1-2m and should be set to rotate with the main purpose of warming the room, should not shine the heater directly on people due to the above risks.

When using an electric blanket, check carefully before use to prevent damage, ensure insulation and heat insulation of the wire. Do not wash wet to avoid short circuit. Turn on the warm mode just enough and when warm enough, turn off before use.

Pay attention to body symptoms:

The Department of Health Environment Management advises people to pay attention to the following symptoms: headache, dizziness, chest pain, discomfort, numbness in limbs... When symptoms appear, it is important to keep the body warm immediately and go to a medical facility for a health check.

Cold weather increases the burden on the heart, so people with heart disease and blood pressure should see a specialist and follow their advice. Blood pressure should be checked regularly, even for young people and people without a history of heart disease or blood pressure.

Note that prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures can cause hypothermia, especially in the elderly, thin people, people with chronic diseases, malnourished children, and infants; Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness... In infants, there are signs of bright red or cold skin. Shivering is an important first sign that the body is losing heat, so it needs to be warmed immediately.

When you have a cold, cough, or fever, you should see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Do not buy medicine on your own, especially antibiotics.