For Immediate Release Date: December 28, 2015 Contact: Leslie Piotrowski (847) 377-8055 Carolyn Waller (847) 377-8099
Winter is a great time of year for outdoor
sports or sipping hot chocolate in front of a fire. But, winter can also be a
time of illness and injury if people fail to take appropriate health and safety
precautions. Following are some tips
from the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center on how to avoid
some of winter’s woes.
Colds
Colds are the world’s most common
illness. More than 100 viruses can cause colds. While there is no vaccine to
protect you, there are ways to lessen your chances of coming down with the
illness. Keep the humidity up in your home (between 30 and 40%) since dry air
dries out the mucous membranes in your nose and throat and causes them to
crack, creating a place where cold viruses can enter your body. Wash your hands
frequently and avoid contact with people who have colds. Build up your natural
resistance by eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep.
The Flu
Influenza is an upper respiratory
infection that can make persons of any age ill. Symptoms include fever, chills,
cough and soreness, and aching in the back, arms and legs. Abdominal cramps, vomiting or diarrhea are
not flu symptoms, although they can be present with flu because of a
coincidental condition. The most important thing you can do is to get a flu
shot. A vaccination can provide
protection and might reduce severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death.
Flu shots are available at pharmacies and healthcare providers throughout the
county, as well as through the Health Department. In protecting yourself and
your family, remember that frequent hand washing also helps prevent the flu.
Other good habits to help prevent the spread of any respiratory illnesses are
to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and stay home when you are sick.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia can be fatal if not detected promptly and treated
properly. It occurs when the body temperature drops to 95 degrees or below. A
3.6 degree drop from a normal body temperature of 98.6 degrees may seem
trivial, but it’s drastic for vital organs. The most common victims are older
persons who have difficulty keeping themselves or their homes warm in cold
weather. Senior citizens should take caution not to turn their thermostats down
too low to save money. Seniors and/or
low-income families struggling to pay their heating bills can apply for assistance
from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through the Community
Action Partnership of Lake County (www.caplakecounty.org) or contact their township
office. Infants less than 1 year of age are also at risk because they
lose body heat more easily than adults, and cannot make enough body heat by
shivering.
The condition can develop
over a period of time. Even cool indoor temperatures of 60 degrees can
eventually trigger hypothermia. Symptoms include shivering, drowsiness, slurred
speech, hallucinations and slow and shallow breathing. If you notice these symptoms in a person,
take his or her temperature. If it is 95 degrees or below, call a doctor or
ambulance, or take the victim directly to the hospital.
Those who have inadequate heating
at home should visit malls or other public places to stay warm. As always, check on
neighbors who live alone and never leave infants, the elderly or pets alone in
cold cars. When outdoors, be aware of the added effect of wind chill. For
example, 20-degree air temperature combined with a 20 miles per hour wind, has
the effect of 10 degrees below zero on the human body.
Frostbite
When spending long periods of time
outdoors during cold weather, be alert for signs of frostbite. It initially occurs in the nose, ears,
fingers and toes, and can happen at any temperature below 32 degrees.
Frostbitten skin is whitish, and stiff and feels numb rather than painful. Children are
especially susceptible to frostbite because they can become so engrossed in
their play that they overlook discomfort.
To prevent frostbite, wear hats that cover the ears,
scarves or masks to cover the face, and several layers of clothing to trap body
heat. Mittens are better than gloves. To
treat frostbitten skin, do not rub the area, since friction can cause further
skin damage. Seek medical attention
immediately. Warm the affected parts of the body with warm water for 20 to 40
minutes. Wrap the frostbitten area in blankets, sweaters, etc.
Snow Shoveling
You should avoid shoveling snow
unless you are in good physical condition.
If you become breathless, stop, go indoors and warm up before
continuing. Overexertion can cause heart attacks and lifting
heavy snow can cause back ailments.
Winter Sports Safety
Lake County’s
numerous inland lakes are frequently used for skating and snowmobiling during winter. If you skate on a
lake or a pond, take safety precautions. Do not skate unless the ice has a uniform
thickness of at least 4 inches. Have rescue devises, such as a rope, ladder and
blankets on hand. Do not skate alone. If you are snowmobiling, do not travel on
lakes or rivers without knowing the ice conditions. To be safe, there should be
8 inches of clear ice. While snowmobiling, also be aware that heavy or drifting
snow can obscure fences, tree stumps and uneven ground. Also, be especially
careful if a child is your passenger.
For more information on preparing
for winter weather emergencies, visit: http://www.alertlakecounty.com/.
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