Extreme heat is making children sick.

Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Cansu Yılmaz, stating that children can catch various diseases in the summer due to the effects of sunlight and various environmental factors, warned parents by saying that children spend more time outside in the summer and can be negatively affected by extreme heat. Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Cansu Yılmaz from Medicana Bursa Hospital expressed that parents need to pay attention to some important points to protect their children’s health, stating that extra caution is needed for babies under 6 months old. In case of sunstroke, fever, weakness, vomiting, and loss of consciousness can be observed. The risk of skin cancer increases due to harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. In case of vitamin D deficiency, it is recommended to expose the face and arms to direct sunlight for 10-15 minutes at least twice a week between 10.00 and 16.00 without applying sun protection. However, extra caution should be taken during these hours when the sunlight is most intense in the summer. There should be no direct exposure to the sun between 11.00-15.00 when the sunlight is most intense in the summer.
Pay attention to fluid loss! Dr. Cansu Yılmaz reminded that there is excessive fluid loss in the human body due to sweating in the summer months and emphasized the importance of replenishing fluid loss by drinking plenty of water and consuming fluids. Dr. Cansu Yılmaz stated, ‘However, attention should be paid to the water and liquid sources we use. Diseases such as typhoid, paratyphoid, diarrhea, viral hepatitis (hepatitis A) can occur from drinking waters with unknown sources and fruits and vegetables washed with these waters. Especially in picnic areas, if human and animal feces and waste are mixed with waters, the water becomes contaminated with invisible microbes and causes intestinal infections.
“Eight percent of medical treatment is needed after traveling to developing countries,” he said. Dr. Cansu Yılmaz, also addressing the diseases that occur in children after travel, stated, ‘Eight percent of medical treatment is needed after returning from trips to developing countries. The most common complaint in children after international travel is fever. Most infections are lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, or middle ear infections. In travel infections, 21 percent malaria, 15 percent travel diarrhea, 6 percent balance fever, and 2 percent typhoid can be seen. Precautions should be taken and vaccinations should be complete depending on the region to be traveled. Especially hand hygiene should be paid attention to. To avoid being negatively affected by air conditioners used for cooling in extreme heat, the cleaning of air conditioner filters should be done on time. In order to prevent air conditioner shock, the air conditioner should be set to 23-26 degrees in the summer.’