At least 2 in 10 patients suffering from heat-related illnesses developed their symptoms while indoors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday, advising citizens to be careful regardless of where they are during the summer heat wave.

Since the supervisory system was put an alert on May 23 this year, 1,160 patients have been reported to suffer from heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and exhaustion.

Among them, 214 developed the symptoms while indoors. Of this number, 93 were in their homes, while 44 were in their workplaces. Another 19 were in buildings, 15 were in greenhouses and eight were inside Korean-style saunas. The remaining 35 were in other indoor locations.

Medical experts said that to prevent getting ill from the heat, one should remember to hydrate by drinking a sufficient amount of liquids.

“Most believe that heat-related illnesses occur from being directly under the sun. But the biggest cause is the level of temperature where one is staying,” said Park Hee-jin, a professor of family medicine at Severance Hospital.

“Dehydration, dizziness and vomiting all occur as our body tries to adjust to the surrounding temperature. It is the most basic step to drink enough water to help the body adjust,” Park said.

It also helps to choose drinks such as sports drinks or water mixed with salt or lemon to replenish salinity lost through sweat.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast the heat wave here is likely to continue till mid-August with daytime highs of around 35 degrees Celsius. 

(khnews@heraldorp.com)