Welcome to the South Central Public Health Partnership
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NEWS RELEASE
Take precautions to prevent heat illnesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alabama’s summer climate with its extreme temperatures and high humidity can lead to heat-related illnesses and deaths if not treated. Heat-related illnesses occur when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The Alabama Department of Public Health cautions everyone to be alert to the warnings that may signal help is needed.
Heat stroke, sometimes called sunstroke, is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Warning signs of heat stroke vary, but include the following: An extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F), Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating), Rapid, strong pulse, Throbbing headache, Dizziness, Nausea, Confusion, Unconsciousness
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency, so have another person call 911 for medical assistance and take immediate steps to begin cooling the victim in any of the following ways:
Get the person to a shady area, cool rapidly in a tub of cool water, place in a cool shower, spray with cool water from a garden hose, splash with cool water, or, if the humidity is low, place in a cool, wet sheet and fan vigorously. Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the person’s body temperature drops to 101 to 102 degrees F. If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call a hospital emergency room for further instructions.
Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, said, “A person with heat stroke is likely to be unconscious or unresponsive, so he or she cannot safely consume any liquids. Under no circumstances should you give any alcohol to a person with heat stroke or any heat illness.”
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are the elderly, persons with high blood pressure, and those working or exercising in a hot environment.
Warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting. The skin may be cool and moist. The pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. Untreated heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke, so seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour.
Stop all activity and sit quietly in a cool place, drink clear juice or a sports beverage, wait a few hours until the cramps subside and seek medical attention if cramps do not stop in one hour.
Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms—usually in the abdomen, arms or legs—that may occur in association with strenuous activity. People who sweat a lot during strenuous activity are prone to heat cramps. To relieve them, apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage them. Give sips of water every 15 minutes for one hour.
Follow these preventive measures to avoid heat illnesses:
Drink more fluids, and avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine
When temperatures are extreme, stay indoors, ideally in an air-conditioned place, take a cool shower or bath, and reduce or eliminate strenuous activities during the hottest time of the day, protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, never leave pets or people in a parked vehicle.
Although anyone at any age can suffer heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. People aged 65 or older are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses and complications that can result during periods of high temperatures and humidity. The risk for heat-related illness and death may increase among people using the following drugs: psychotropics, medications for Parkinson’s disease, tranquilizers and diuretics.
For more information visit www.adph.org.
Swine Flu now H1N1 flu virus according to CDC's acting director Dr. Richard E. Besser
The Swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the newly diagnosed cases in the U.S. are a stark reminder that a flu pandemic is not out of the question. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and scared.
Check out Dr. Josh Klapow's
The Swine Flu What Can You Do? and click here to watch his interview with Alabama's local news station NBC 13 on swine flu stress relief tips
Pandemic Flu-related Online Courses
from UAB and Tulane
Click here for a complete list of courses and descriptions with links to each
Pandemic Flu-related Webcasts
presented by UAB and Tulane
Click here for a complete list of webcasts and descriptions with links to each
Get the latest information on the Swine Flu outbreak:
click on the links below or go to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
and/or
http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/
also
http://adph.org/influenza/index.asp?id=3526
When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival:
fresh water, food, clean air and warmth . . .
please click on the link below or go to http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/
for information on preparedness kits
Take precautions to prevent heat illnesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alabama’s summer climate with its extreme temperatures and high humidity can lead to heat-related illnesses and deaths if not treated. Heat-related illnesses occur when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The Alabama Department of Public Health cautions everyone to be alert to the warnings that may signal help is needed.
Heat stroke, sometimes called sunstroke, is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Warning signs of heat stroke vary, but include the following: An extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F), Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating), Rapid, strong pulse, Throbbing headache, Dizziness, Nausea, Confusion, Unconsciousness
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency, so have another person call 911 for medical assistance and take immediate steps to begin cooling the victim in any of the following ways:
Get the person to a shady area, cool rapidly in a tub of cool water, place in a cool shower, spray with cool water from a garden hose, splash with cool water, or, if the humidity is low, place in a cool, wet sheet and fan vigorously. Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the person’s body temperature drops to 101 to 102 degrees F. If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call a hospital emergency room for further instructions.
Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, said, “A person with heat stroke is likely to be unconscious or unresponsive, so he or she cannot safely consume any liquids. Under no circumstances should you give any alcohol to a person with heat stroke or any heat illness.”
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are the elderly, persons with high blood pressure, and those working or exercising in a hot environment.
Warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting. The skin may be cool and moist. The pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. Untreated heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke, so seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour.
Stop all activity and sit quietly in a cool place, drink clear juice or a sports beverage, wait a few hours until the cramps subside and seek medical attention if cramps do not stop in one hour.
Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms—usually in the abdomen, arms or legs—that may occur in association with strenuous activity. People who sweat a lot during strenuous activity are prone to heat cramps. To relieve them, apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage them. Give sips of water every 15 minutes for one hour.
Follow these preventive measures to avoid heat illnesses:
Drink more fluids, and avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine
When temperatures are extreme, stay indoors, ideally in an air-conditioned place, take a cool shower or bath, and reduce or eliminate strenuous activities during the hottest time of the day, protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, never leave pets or people in a parked vehicle.
Although anyone at any age can suffer heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. People aged 65 or older are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses and complications that can result during periods of high temperatures and humidity. The risk for heat-related illness and death may increase among people using the following drugs: psychotropics, medications for Parkinson’s disease, tranquilizers and diuretics.
For more information visit www.adph.org.
Swine Flu now H1N1 flu virus according to CDC's acting director Dr. Richard E. Besser
The Swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the newly diagnosed cases in the U.S. are a stark reminder that a flu pandemic is not out of the question. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and scared.
Check out Dr. Josh Klapow's
The Swine Flu What Can You Do? and click here to watch his interview with Alabama's local news station NBC 13 on swine flu stress relief tips
Pandemic Flu-related Online Courses
from UAB and Tulane
Click here for a complete list of courses and descriptions with links to each
Pandemic Flu-related Webcasts
presented by UAB and Tulane
Click here for a complete list of webcasts and descriptions with links to each
Get the latest information on the Swine Flu outbreak:
click on the links below or go to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
and/or
http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/
also
http://adph.org/influenza/index.asp?id=3526
When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival:
fresh water, food, clean air and warmth . . .
please click on the link below or go to http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/
for information on preparedness kits
Upcoming Satellite Conference and Live Webcast:
Responding to Victims with Burn Injuries in Disaster Events
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 • 12:00-1:30 p.m. (Central Time)
1:00-2:30 p.m. (Eastern) • 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Mountain) • 10:00-11:30 a.m. (Pacific)
FACULTY:
Ziad Kazzi, MD
Ziad Kazzi, MD
Assistant Professor, Emory University; Medical Toxicologist, Georgia Poison Center
James Cross, MD
Associate Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Surgery Director, University of Alabama at Birmingham Burn Center
Produced by the UAB and Tulane University’s South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness
in partnership with the Alabama Department of Public Health
Produced by the UAB and Tulane University’s South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness
in partnership with the Alabama Department of Public Health
New Online Courses:
Featured Resources:
In The News:
CHDS Announces Winner of Second Annual Essay Contest
The Naval Postgraduate School’s (NPS) Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) is pleased to announce Valerie Yeager as the winner of the 2009 homeland security essay competition. Yeager’s winning essay entitled, Emergency Response, Public Health and Poison Control: Logical Linkages for Successful Risk Communication and Improved Disaster and Mass Incident Response, was selected from 147 other entries. Her paper explores the possibilities of linking emergency response and public health with the poison control system for increased collaboration and coordination during disasters and emergencies. If successful, these linkages will ensure that the U.S. is more capable of effectively preventing, responding and recovering from disasters and emergencies. read more . . .
Listen to CBS nationally syndicated radio interviews with Dr. Josh Klapow on psychological first aid:
Interview 1
Interview 2
Watch Dr. Josh Klapow on Birmingham Alabama's local news ABC 33/40 as he speaks on the topic of how to manage stress during a disaster.
