Warnings of heatstroke and heat-related illnesses have been issued by doctors at the city’s hospitals as Da Nang has been basking a fierce heatwave with daytime temperatures ranging between 38 and 40°C. It has dramatically affected the lives of local citizens, with many children in particular now suffering from heat-related illnesses.

Patients waiting for taking medicines at the Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital

Over the past 2 days, there has been a significant increase in the number of children admitted to the city’s Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital for the treatment of acute diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, and viral fevers.

In particular, the Hospital has been receiving an average of between 1,200 and 1,400 child patients each day. Of them, between 150 and 200 children have been admitted to the hospital.

Under extreme heat conditions, people, especially children, are vulnerable to exhaustion, dehydration and a weakened immune system.

Dr Le Van Dung, Deputy Head of the hospital’s Emergency Department, warned that children are at a higher risk of becoming ill than adults during prolonged and extreme heatwave.

He also recommended parents should not be subjective with their children’s symptoms of the common cold, including runny nose, coughing, sneezing and mild fever, during the hot days.

Parents with their children waiting for medical examinations at the Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital

The Head of the Emergency Department of the Da Nang General Hospital, Dr Nguyen Truong Minh, said his hospital has received a growing number of patients with heat stroke or stroke in recent days. Most of them have gone out in the sun a lot or have had high blood pressure, cardiovascular and cerebral anemia.

A large number of patients at the Da Nang General Hospital

Mr Minh also warned that under extreme heat conditions, people are vulnerable to exhaustion, dehydration and a weakened immune system, especially the elderly. He advised that the best way to prevent heat-related disorders is to avoid exposure to the sun.

Also, he advised the public to avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight between 10.00am and 3.00pm each day, as well as wear sun-protection clothing as going out. The focus should on drinking enough water, and eating more fruits to prevent dehydration.