Children, elderly persons advised to stay indoors

Staff Correspondent: In view of the current heat wave across the country, experts have advised all, especially children, elderly persons and pregnant women, to refrain from going out of home without urgent need to avoid health risks.
Medicine specialist Dr Lelin Chowdhury said that in the intense heat caused by this heat wave, people may experience dehydration due to sweating.
Due to the loss of water from the body, the heart beat and pulse may increase, he said, adding that it can cause dizziness or nausea and sometimes people may faint.
“This condition is called heat stroke. In case of this situation, the affected person should be taken to a shady place quickly. Move him or her to the coolest place if possible. Attires should be loosened and it would be better if their eyes are splashed. Saline and normal water should also be given to drink,” he continued.
He advised all to refrain from eating food, ‘Sharbat’, juice water and ice from outside to maintain sound health in this situation.
He also asked them to carry food and clean water from home while going outside.
He further said the infection of some viruses’ increases during the hot summer.
The rate of getting affected by mumps, water-borne diseases and diarrhea increases, he said, adding that elderly persons, children and those with low immunity such as pregnant women are at higher risk of contracting these diseases.
Noting that the possibility of contracting such diseases has already increased in the country, Dr Lelin advised the elderly, children and pregnant women to refrain from going out of home unnecessarily.
He also advised to wear cotton clothes and carry food and water from home in case of emergency outing.
He said during this time, the tendency of children to get infected with Rotavirus increases.
“This can lead to pneumonia and diarrhea. Therefore, children should stay home,” he added.
The physician also advised them to refrain from drinking cold water and ice from the refrigerator.
Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over parts of the country and it may continue, said a met office forecast for the next 24 hours from 9am yesterday.
“Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and the district of Nilphamari and it may continue”, said the met office release.
Meteorologist Md Abdur Rahman Khan said that this mild to moderate heat wave may continue in the next 72 hours.
There is no chance of rain during this time, he added.
Country’s maximum temperature on Tuesday was recorded 39.6 degrees Celsius at Chuadanga while the lowest temperature today was 17.3 degrees Celsius at Rajarhat.
The heat wave that started on April 10 will continue for five more days, said in a recent weather bulletin.