***********************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 14) reminded senior citizens as well as their care-givers to adopt health measures to guard against the expected cold weather in the coming days.
The Assistant Director of Health, Dr Regina Ching, said cold weather could trigger diseases, especially among the elderly and people suffering from heart, respiratory or chronic medical conditions.
"The elderly have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm, and their temperature control mechanism may be weaker," Dr Ching said.
"Chronic health problems like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and endocrine problems may lead to a lower metabolic rate and cause the body to generate less heat.
"Other problems like stroke, fractures, Parkinson's disease and dementia may restrict the mobility of the elderly, slowing down the generation and conservation of body heat."
Dr Ching urged the public, especially senior citizens and people with chronic medical conditions, to adopt the following precautions:
* Take note of the weather forecast. Wear appropriately warm clothing, including scarves, socks, gloves and hats;
* Consume sufficient food and drink with a high calorie content, e.g. hot soup, hot rice and noodles;
* Perform regular exercise to increase circulation and production of heat;
* Stay in a warm environment and avoid exposure to open spaces. Use heaters with care to ensure safety, and maintain adequate indoor ventilation; and
* Seek medical attention if unwell.
Dr Ching said people should also avoid alcoholic beverages. "Some people think that drinking alcohol will keep them warm, but this is wrong. In fact, alcohol causes the blood vessels to dilate, and the body actually loses warmth."
As for babies, Dr Ching said, it was important to keep them lightly clothed so as not to restrict their movement. Parents should observe the following rules when putting their babies to bed:
* Babies should normally lie on their backs. Pillows should not be used.
* Babies should be placed with their feet at the foot of the cot and their arms outside light bedding. To reduce the risk of an infant's head being covered, bedding should be tucked securely beneath the cot.
To avoid influenza and upper respiratory tract infection, members of the public are advised to take the following precautions:
* Have adequate rest, a balanced diet, regular exercise and reduce stress. Do not smoke;
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Maintain good ventilation;
* Wear a mask if you develop flu-like symptoms, when caring for the sick, and when visiting hospitals and/or clinics. Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper in a lidded rubbish bin and wash hands afterwards.
* If feeling unwell, seek medical attention immediately and stay at home.
Dr Ching said food-borne diseases, especially those linked to hot pots, are also common in the winter season. The following preventive measures should be taken:
* Wash hands before handling food and dining;
* When choosing food, never patronise vendors that are unlicensed or have poor hygiene standards. Buy seafood that is fresh, and has intact shells and no strange smell;
* When handling food, wash and cook all food thoroughly. Make sure that vegetables are washed thoroughly. If possible, soak the vegetables in clean water for a period of time to ensure that the pesticide on the vegetables is washed off.
* Care should also be taken when handling seafood. Don't eat prawns when they have just turned red. Cook for five more minutes before eating. Avoid eating the heads of prawns. The outer shell of shellfish should be removed and the shellfish cooked in boiling water for a relatively long period of time to ensure that it is thoroughly cooked.
* Avoid sprinkling food with raw spring onions. Store the washed and prepared food in the refrigerator at a temperature below four degrees Celsius. Eat the food as soon as possible after cooking.
* Never use raw egg as a dipping sauce for hot pot as it can be contaminated by salmonella.
* Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked meat to avoid cross contamination.
For more information on cold weather measures, the public may call the Central Health Education Unit Hotline, 2833 0111. Information can also be obtained from the unit's website, http://www.cheu.gov.hk; click "News" to obtain the relevant fact sheets.
For the latest weather information and five-day Weather Forecast, please call the Hong Kong Observatory's Dial-a-weather [Cantonese (187-8200), Putonghua (187-8202) and English (187-8066)] and the Telephone Information Enquiry System (2926-1133) or visit the Hong Kong Observatory website: http://www.hko.gov.hk/.
Ends/Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:28
NNNN