WHO's advice for taking care of your health in this heat

With the arrival of summer and increasingly frequent and intense heat waves, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched its #KeepCool campaign, a clear and straightforward guide to protecting yourself from high temperatures . Although the human body is designed to maintain its temperature around 37°C through sweating, prolonged exposure to heat can overwhelm this natural mechanism, causing everything from physical and mental discomfort to serious medical emergencies. While anyone can be affected by extreme heat, not everyone is equally exposed. The most vulnerable are the elderly, who have partially lost their ability to regulate body temperature through sweat, and infants and young children, whose thermoregulatory system is not yet fully developed. Those who work outdoors —such as farmers, laborers, or firefighters—are also at high risk, as their work involves constant exposure to the sun during the most critical hours of the day.

Furthermore, heat can aggravate pre-existing conditions. People with cardiovascular conditions, respiratory problems, or diabetes are especially sensitive to sudden temperature changes, as are those taking certain medications that interfere with the body's heat-adapting mechanisms. Pregnant women are another risk group: high temperatures have been linked to premature births and low birth weight. Therefore, the WHO recommends extreme precautions in all these cases.

The WHO reminds us that the effects of extreme heat are largely preventable if a few basic public health and self-care measures are applied. These are its main recommendations:

Avoid going outside or engaging in strenuous physical activity between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. If you're part of a vulnerable group, take advantage of cooler times like early morning or late afternoon. Some businesses and services have special opening hours.

Use the cool night air for ventilation and lower blinds and curtains during the day. Turn off appliances and lights that generate unnecessary heat.

Wear light, breathable clothing , choose cool sheets, shower with lukewarm or cool water, and drink water regularly, even if you're not thirsty. Avoid beverages with alcohol, sugar, or caffeine, as these promote dehydration.

Call or visit family, friends, or neighbors who live alone, especially if they are elderly or ill. Make sure they are well hydrated and have access to a cool place. And never leave children or pets inside a parked vehicle.

With the arrival of summer and increasingly frequent and intense heat waves, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched its #KeepCool campaign, a clear and straightforward guide to protecting yourself from high temperatures . Although the human body is designed to maintain its temperature around 37°C through sweating, prolonged exposure to heat can overwhelm this natural mechanism, causing everything from physical and mental discomfort to serious medical emergencies. While anyone can be affected by extreme heat, not everyone is equally exposed. The most vulnerable are the elderly, who have partially lost their ability to regulate body temperature through sweat, and infants and young children, whose thermoregulatory system is not yet fully developed. Those who work outdoors —such as farmers, laborers, or firefighters—are also at high risk, as their work involves constant exposure to the sun during the most critical hours of the day.