October Heat: How Extreme Heat Harms Human Health

All humans are physiologically affected in different ways by prolonged exposure to heat, which frequently exacerbates pre-existing illnesses and causes early mortality and disability. Heatwaves often result in public health emergencies, have a significant negative influence on public health, and have a domino effect on other aspects of society. Some parts of the population are more prone to suffering from the stress from the heat than the rest. These include the young and old, pregnant women, manual laborers, and the underprivileged.

There has already been a rise in cases of viral fever, dehydration, giddiness, heat stroke and other illnesses due to the sudden fluctuations in temperature.

High temperatures can weaken the human body’s immune response, making it more susceptible to viral infections. Viral illnesses like the common cold are primarily caused by rhinoviruses. These viruses tend to thrive in conditions with low humidity, which can occur when temperatures soar. When the air is dry, the virus particles remain suspended longer, increasing the chances of transmission from person to person. Rapid rises in heat gain due to exposure to hotter than average conditions compromise the body’s ability to regulate temperature and can result in a cascade of illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia.