The rise in temperatures that has engulfed Italy in recent weeks has had repercussions on the health of Italians. Prof. Gennaro D’Amato, medical specialist in Allergology and Clinical Immunology and diseases of the respiratory system, provided some tips to better deal with the African heat and for the responsible use of air conditioners.
Interview with Prof Gennaro D’Amato
specialist in Allergology and Clinical Immunology and diseases of the respiratory system
Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The anomalous heat of the last few weeks is also having important repercussions on the health of Italians. A new wave of African heat will overwhelm Italy in the next 7 days: peaks of 40 degrees will also be reached in the city. This is why it is important to know how to best protect yourself from the consequences of heat. According to Prof Gennaro D’Amato, specialist in Allergology and Clinical Immunology and diseases of the respiratory system, it is important drink more than two liters of water a day and learn how to use the air conditioning correctlyan essential ally of this summer.
Prof. Gennaro D’Amato
How to best use the air conditioning to avoid getting sick from sudden changes in temperature?
We must not exaggerate, we are not penguins and we do not need extremely low temperatures. With the energy crisis, the air conditioner must be kept around 26 degrees. Those who use air conditioning must keep in mind that too low values are bad for the body: they facilitate inflammation of the airways and bronchial problems, especially in those already predisposed
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Is an hour limit recommended for the use of air conditioning?
No, although you should know that it cannot be in operation all day. It should also be absolutely avoided to turn it on at night or in any case it must be kept at minimum levels and at fairly high temperatures. Much better to open the windows at night. We must also take into account the fact that turning on the air conditioning, especially if for a long time, we emit large quantities of Co2 to cool the environment. Carbon dioxide is one of the elements that most favors the increase in temperatures and climate change.
Do air conditioners play a role in the spread of Covid? Can they shed droplets indoors?
There are studies that go in this direction but which mainly concern the Delta variant. With Omicron, transmission is direct. The new variant of Covid is more infectious, but less clinically aggressive. Too close contact with others must be avoided and a mask must still be used, but in this sense the air conditioner is not an enemy. The Omicron variant has nasal symptoms and causes few pneumonia, but older adults still need to be careful. With the increase in infections we are recommending the use of anti-inflammatory and antivirals, because deaths and hospitalizations are still too many. An elderly person who contracts Covid must take the antiviral even if he has obtained three doses of the vaccine, this must be clear.
Who doesn’t have air conditioning instead? How can he handle the heat?
Opening the windows in the evening or at night. In addition, doctors recommend drinking more than two liters of water a day. More general recommendations remain valid, such as avoiding going out during the hottest hours of the day to avoid heatstroke which is very dangerous for the elderly.
And who, on the other hand, works outdoors and is forced to expose themselves to the heat during the main hours of the day?
She must cover her head with a hat, drink plenty of water and possibly use sunscreen. Direct exposure to the sun should be avoided.
Speaking of climate change: the great heat has impoverished agricultural production. Tips for maintaining a healthy diet that helps people counter the effects of high temperatures?
We must avoid eating a lot, especially in the evening and pay attention to what we ingest. It sounds strange, but the heat has also caused the increase in food allergies. The products that reach our tables every day are very different from those we bought years ago, thanks to pollution and impervious weather conditions.
Have food allergies only increased?
No, even those from pollen or herbs. These are studies that we have been carrying out in recent years. An allergic person must pay more attention not only at the table, but more generally in his daily actions.
Returning to nutrition: are supplements really good for you? Are they recommended in summer?
They certainly don’t hurt, but I tend to prefer fruit and fruit juices for vitamin intake, especially in the summer. In general, taking vitamin C or D is a good thing, but we must not abuse them.