Beat the heat: Hot weather advice for people living with immunodeficiency

During periods of extreme heat, the body can find it harder to stay cool. This may be affected by:

Your age – older people, especially those aged 65 and over, babies and young children aged 5 years and under, may find it more difficult to cope in hot weather

Having a serious long-term health condition, including respiratory problems

Being on multiple medicines or medicines that may make them more likely to be badly affected by hot weather

Taking simple steps to stay cool and hydrated, and knowing the signs of heat-related illness, can help reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Understanding heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body becomes too hot and struggles to cool itself effectively.

Common symptoms include:

Tiredness or weakness

Dizziness or feeling faint

Headache

Muscle cramps

Feeling sick or being sick

Heavy sweating

Intense thirst

Heat exhaustion usually improves with cooling and fluids. If symptoms do not improve within 30 minutes, they may progress to heatstroke (see below), a medical emergency.

Cooling yourself down

If you begin to feel overheated:

Move to a cooler place, such as a shaded area or an air-conditioned room.

Apply cool water to your skin using a spray bottle, damp cloth or sponge.

Place cold packs wrapped in a towel under your arms or around your neck.

Remove unnecessary layers of clothing.

Drink cool water regularly. Oral rehydration solutions or sports drinks may also help replace lost fluids and salts.

Keeping your home cool

Creating a cooler indoor environment can make a significant difference during a heatwave.

Consider the following measures:

Turn off unnecessary lights, appliances and electronics that generate heat.

Close curtains, blinds or shutters during the hottest part of the day to block direct sunlight.

Open windows when outdoor temperatures begin to fall, usually in the evening and overnight, if it is safe to do so.

Use fans to help move hot air out of rooms.

Top Tip

Placing a bowl of ice water or a damp cloth in front of a fan can help circulate cooler air and improve indoor comfort.

Identifying heatstroke

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. It occurs when the body can no longer regulate its temperature and becomes dangerously overheated.

Symptoms may include:

Rapid breathing or shortness of breath

Hot, dry skin with little or no sweating

Confusion or disorientation

Lack of coordination

Rapid heartbeat

Seizures

If you think you have heatstroke:

Call 999 immediately.
Move to a cool place.
Remove excess clothing.
Cool your skin with water, cold packs or damp cloths while waiting for emergency help.

Always use sunscreen

People living with immunodeficiency should take extra care in the sun. Some medicines, including certain antibiotics and immunosuppressants, can make skin more sensitive to UV rays and increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage. A weakened immune system may also raise the risk of some skin cancers. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4-star UVA protection, wear protective clothing, seek shade during the hottest part of the day, and check your skin regularly for unusual changes.