Health Tips for the Hot Summer Season in Vallarta NotiVallarta
go to original April 28, 2015

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco - Given the potential increase in risks to health from exposure to high temperatures, the Eighth Health Region makes some recommendations in this hot season that started the third week of March.

In this regard, Karina Guillermina Navarro Cabrera, Director of the agency said in Puerto Vallarta you have very marked seasons of cold and heat, and therefore care must be taken in both cases.

In this case of the hot season, which ends in the third week of October, she stressed that the risks to the population increase and may cause dehydration, sunstroke, heat stroke, burns from prolonged exposure to sunlight and importantly, gastrointestinal diseases.

The recommendations are to avoid sun exposure during the hours of greatest radiation between 11:00 and 3:00 as well as choose the early morning hours for outdoor activities and wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, and wear a hat or use umbrellas for sun protection.

"If exposure is unavoidable, use sunscreen and protective lotions or another practical option is to cover the windows that receive direct sunlight with blinds, curtains or even newspapers can be used because it helps to decrease the internal heat of the house by up to 80 percent."

In this regard, she pointed out that something very important is to prevent people or pets from remaining in a car with closed windows.

Navarro Cabrera said there are basic measures to be implemented to prevent diarrheal diseases: washing hands before and after eating and using the bathroom; if consuming seafood, it should be well cooked or fried.

Added to this, fruits and vegetables that are consumed raw should be washed in chlorinated water which is boiled or disinfected. "To disinfect water, add two drops of bleach per liter of water or a drop of colloidal silver (plata coloidal) for every two liters and let stand for 30 minutes before drinking and eating more fluid than is customary."

In this context, the director of the Health Region VIII stressed that you should also avoid eating foods of dubious origin in public spaces.

Finally, Karina Guillermina Navarro Cabrera pointed out that if symptoms or signs of stomach illness or dehydration is present, people can go to any health center and ask for free packets of Vida Suero Oral (Oral Life Serum), "the envelope is prepared in a liter of boiled or disinfected water for the person to drink."

Translated and edited by Team Angels