Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong has just sent a document to the Chairmen of the People's Committees 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 regarding the implementation of measures to protect people's health from the effects of severe cold.
Accordingly, to protect people's health from the effects of severe cold, the Ministry of Health requests the Chairmen of the People's Committees of the above provinces and cities to pay attention to directing the implementation of a number of contents, specifically:
Direct relevant departments and branches to closely monitor the development of severe cold in the area and promptly inform people so that they know and proactively take preventive measures to protect their health during the cold season.
In cold weather, students need to be taken care of to avoid getting cold (photo TL).
Direct the Department of Health and relevant units to disseminate knowledge, guide and advise people in the community to take effective preventive measures against cold, ensuring health safety; warn people to know and prevent heating accidents such as burns and especially prevent CO poisoning due to heating with coal and firewood in closed spaces;
Direct medical facilities at all levels in the area to ensure adequate provision of emergency medicines, adequate hospital beds, and ready means to promptly handle common emergency cases; organize medical examination and treatment for people, ensure cold prevention for patients and their families during examination and treatment at medical facilities.
The Ministry of Health also requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct the Department of Information and Communications and local media and press agencies to coordinate with the Department of Health to take measures to propagate and disseminate instructions on protecting the health of people, workers, patients, and patients' relatives according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health on mass media.
Previously, the Department of Health Environment Management (Ministry of Health) developed a Guide to Health Care in the Cold Season for the community and workers to help people have basic knowledge in implementing measures to prevent and combat some common health problems in the cold season.
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...
Accordingly, 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 jackets, long pants that are thick enough to keep warm, scarves, hats, gloves, socks, masks...;
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 10:00 p.m., bathe for too long, or bathe in an area that is not sheltered from the wind because it can easily cause heat shock, which is life-threatening. 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 regularly 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;
For people with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, musculoskeletal disease... who have been diagnosed, they must pay attention to following the principles of taking medication, having a reasonable exercise and nutrition regimen according to the doctor's instructions...
For those who have to work in cold weather: If you have to work outdoors, you need to keep your body warm and work at a slow pace; You need to keep your 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;
The Department of Environmental Management notes: To have enough heat to work and fight the cold, workers need to eat enough nutrients, especially fat and carbohydrates, and should eat hot food.
The Department of Health Environment Management instructs to pay attention to the following symptoms: headache, dizziness, chest tightness, 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 with no 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 illnesses, malnourished children, and infants;
Symptoms of hypothermia: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss 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.
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