DOH: Have adequate water intake as heat index expected to soar to 50°C

Filipinos who have prolonged sun exposure should strive to drink as much as 10 glasses of water daily now that the heat index in parts of the country is expected to rise to a dangerous 50°C, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo issued the reminder following the PAGASA forecast noting that a 50°C heat index may hit NAS-UPLB in Los Baños, Laguna on Wednesday, April 16.

“Sa panahon ngayon, mainit, mataas 'yung sinasabing damang init or heat index. Tayo po ay dapat laging hydrated. Uminom tayo ng tubig na malinis. Seven hanggang eight na baso,” Domingo said in an Unang Balita interview.

(The heat index nowadays is very high. We should always keep hydrated and drink 7 to 8 glasses of clean water.)

“‘Yung iba nga ho, depende sa exposure sa init kung matagal sa labas ng araw, ay puwedeng hanggang mga 8 to 10 glasses,” he added.

(Some people have to drink 8 to 10 glasses, depending on their exposure to the sun.)

Heat index is the measure of the temperature that a person feels that is apart from the actual air temperature. A heat index ranging from 42-51°C is considered under PAGASA’s “danger” effect-based classification.

According to its 5 p.m. April 15 bulletin, the state weather bureau said NAS-UPLB is one of the 18 areas that could experience a “danger level” heat index. The same area also experienced a heat index of 50°C on Tuesday.

The DOH has warned the public against heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke that become more prevalent during the dry season.

Should anyone experience any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, the public were advised to follow these first aid measures:

• Transfer the person to a cooler or shady area and adjust the ventilation;
• Remove clothes that could add up to body heat;
• Apply cold compress, ice pack, cold water, or a cold wet cloth to the skin, especially on the head, face, neck, armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin;
• Contact emergency services or take the person to hospital immediately.
• If the patient is conscious, let him/her have frequent but slow sips of cold water.

—KG, GMA Integrated News