The Summer Plan is aimed at reducing and treating diseases or disorders associated with high temperatures and sun exposure in a timely manner.
Emphasis is children under 5 years of age and older adults, most vulnerable to dehydration. Diarrheal diseases decrease due to frequent hand washing and health promotion measures, specialists point out.
The Jalisco Health Secretariat (SSJ), in coordination with the government agencies that make up the State Health Sector, will intensify all prevention strategies to avoid cases of dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, sunburn, diarrheal diseases, and disorders associated with high temperatures; as well as health promotion and epidemiological surveillance.
In a virtual press conference, the Summer Plan and the Specific Action Plan to Reduce Morbidity and Mortality from Acute Diarrheal Diseases (EDAS) in Jalisco were presented, which are developed from March 20 to October 20, 2021, and include actions to strengthen health education for the population, said the director of Health Promotion of the SSJ, Ángel Nuño Bonales.
He stressed that thanks to the strengthening of preventive measures and health promotion, in 2020 the cases of diarrheal diseases in children were reduced by 50%: “In 2020 there were 22,199 cases in children under five years of age, which speaks of the great importance of hand washing and food preparation at home.”
For his part, the Coordinator of Prevention and Health Care of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in Jalisco, Carlos Francisco Moreno Valencia, commented that through the 114 Family Medicine Units located in the State, actions are carried out to attend Pictures related to diseases typical of the hot season and one of its most serious consequences, which is dehydration, "more frequent in patients under 5 years of age and in adults over 65 years of age."
If children have a dry mouth, purple lips or nails, crying without tears, dry mucous membranes, paleness, agitated expiration, or fever, these may be symptoms of dehydration that should be treated immediately in their health unit, where the serum is provided free of charge.
Moreno Valencia made a call to the population to avoid what is known as “heat stroke,” that is, that the body temperature rises due to prolonged exposure to the sun in open places, which manifests itself with a headache , sweating, nausea, drowsiness, and body temperature higher than 39 degrees. In this case, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Sinaí Huerta Chávez, the state person in charge of the Epidemiology Area of the Institute of Social Security and Services of State Workers, emphasized the importance of staying hydrated (adults should drink at least 2 liters of water a day and kids one,) and don't wait to feel thirsty. She also stressed that hydrating drinks should be limited because of their high sugar and sodium content.
The doctor invited to maintain frequent hand washing, as it reduces the risk of gastrointestinal ailments.
Regarding skin damage, the director of the Jalisco Dermatological Institute, María del Rocío Ferrusco Ontiveros, explained that prolonged exposure to the sun should be reduced, mainly in children and older adults, but also the general population, to avoid mild sunburns and potentially malignant lesions that can lead to skin cancer.
"The greatest damage that the sun causes us is from zero to 20 years of age, if at that stage of life we have been exposed to the sun, and we have even had burns, it is more likely that in the mature stage we will have cancer," Ferrusco Ontiveros emphasized.
She recommended avoiding exposure to the sun from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., wearing long sleeves, an umbrella, or a hat. Children should be protected with sunscreen from six months of age, and before then avoiding sun exposure, and adolescents and adults should use sunscreen.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
- Review the Immunization Record: that children under 5 years of age have their complete schedule.
- Have Vida Oral Serum at home, especially if there are children under 5 years of age or the elderly.
- At the first sign of dehydration, start Vida Oral Serum.
- Remember the ABCs of diarrhea: A) Do not stop eating. B) Offer plenty of fluids, preferably Vida Oral Serum and C) Go immediately to the Health Unit for consultation.
- Drink bottled, boiled, or disinfected water frequently to stay hydrated.
- Avoid exposing yourself to the sun for long periods, especially between 10:00 and 16:00, which is when the temperature reaches its highest levels.
- Wear light clothing and light colors.
- When going out, wear a cap or hat, sunglasses, umbrella and sunscreen.
- Stay in cool, shady and well-ventilated places.
- Ventilate the car before getting in.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Wash and disinfect vegetables and fruits.
- Keep raw food refrigerated until ready.
- Avoid eating food on the street as the heat breaks it down quickly.