Exclusive: Expert Shares Impact of Heat Waves on Infectious Disease Transmission

Add as a preferred source on Google

Heat waves are extreme weather events characterized by a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, often accompanied by high humidity. These events can have significant impacts on human health, including increasing the risk of infectious disease transmission.

The combination of high temperatures and humidity can create favorable conditions for the survival and spread of pathogens, as well as exacerbate existing health conditions, leading to a higher incidence of infectious or non infectious diseases.

In an exclusive interview with Boldsky, Dr Neha Mishra, Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospitals, shares a list of illnesses that commonly occur in this season and discusses measures to mitigate these effects.

1. Skin diseases like fungal infections like ringworm infections can occur more commonly in warm weather after a bout of sweating. Therefore, it's prudent to have increased hygiene including keeping the skin dry and maintaining good hygiene. The personal items like towels, razors, and clothing of an infected individual mustn't be shared with anyone, and the patient is adequately treated to contain the infection.

2. Gastrointestinal diseases usually lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, loose motions, and pain abdomen. Food poisoning including viral diarrhea, cholera, and enteric fever is more prevalent in summer. They occur due to consumption of contaminated food or water. Taking strict precautions regarding the consumption of hygienic food and safe water is of utmost importance. These diseases can lead to complications like dehydration and multisystem involvement. They require medical attention and treatment at the earliest to prevent complications associated.

3. Viral Illnesses - Certain viruses Like Rubella, and enterovirus can commonly cause a self-limiting disease in otherwise healthy individuals. These illnesses are difficult to distinguish only based on symptoms and are predominantly treated symptomatically. Even viral respiratory infections, hepatitis, and conjunctivitis are more common in the summer season.

4. Hyperthermia And Heat Stroke - defined as an elevation of core body temperature above the normal diurnal range. It happens due to the failure of normal body thermoregulation. It can be non-exertional or exertional. Exertional heat Illness generally occurs in young and otherwise healthy individuals who exert themselves in the hot climate, people like construction workers, firefighters, mountain climbers, and athletes are commonly affected. The risk factors for these are poor physical fitness, lack of acclimatization, strenuous exercise, dehydration, obesity or any concomitant acute infection.

Some people of specific kinds of medications, for example, diuretics or antihistaminic drugs, may put an individual at higher risk of developing exertional heat illness. The severity of this may not be apparent at the initial presentation and the duration of core temperature elevation above is directly related to the outcome of the illness. The temperature of an individual may rise above 101 -104 degrees Celsius.

The spectrum ranges from heat cramps, heat syncope, and heat exhaustion, and the most severe form being heat stroke. Heat stroke is characterized by a core temperature of 104 and multisystem involvement specifically central nervous system dysfunction.

The diseases can be prevented by basic measures.

1. Stay hydrated
2. Stay indoors as far as possible and avoid strenuous exercise in the scorching heat.
3. If traveling, then wear good sunscreen and protect yourself from direct sunlight
4. Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
5. If there are any symptoms suggestive of infection like fever, body ache, cold cough, diarrhea, or jaundice, seek immediate medical help.
Bigger health issues can be prevented by simple steps and awareness regarding diseases that may occur during extreme weather conditions.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.