Heatwave: impact on health, prevention and steps to take
27 June 2025 | Comment(s) |
Floriane Mboda
Heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent and can be dangerous for health, especially for the most vulnerable. Therefore, it's essential to know what to do in hot weather. In this article, we'll look at what heatwaves are, who is most at risk from them and, finally, some basic tips and steps to take in the event of a heatwave and to prevent its effects on health.
What is a heatwave?
A heatwave is a meteorological phenomenon that generally occurs in summer when abnormally high temperatures occur, day and night, for at least three days. A heatwave occurs when temperatures exceed 20 degrees at night.
Intense heat can cause dehydration, fatigue and dizziness. The health problems caused by heatwaves particularly affect the frail and vulnerable. Hot weather is often accompanied by high levels of humidity, which weakens our ability to withstand high temperatures.
Infants, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses are all considered to be at risk. Once exposed to this meteorological phenomenon, they are more likely to develop pathologies that can sometimes lead to cardiac complications or cardiovascular disease.
Heatwaves and vulnerable people
As mentioned above, infants, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses represent a high-risk group.
The heat is harder to bear for vulnerable people. This can complicate their daily lives during heatwaves. In fact, high temperatures can more easily cause cardiovascular problems, dehydration and heatstroke.
As far as infants and young children are concerned, it is essential to keep them under supervision in a place where the temperature is between 22 and 25 degrees, and to give them water to drink every hour. They are also very sensitive to heat, so avoid exposing them to it, especially inside cars.
The elderly are less sensitive to heat and have a greater need to hydrate. They are therefore particularly at-risk during heatwaves. To prevent this, it is vital to ensure they are well hydrated and protected from the heat.
Warning signs of excessive heat
In the event of a heatwave, it is possible to identify signals that can alert us to our state of health. Headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and fever can be seen as the first effects of a heatwave on the human body.
When you start to feel several of these symptoms, you are strongly advised to contact your GP or the emergency services so as not to let them develop and your health deteriorate. To cope during a heatwave, it's vital to remember a number of recommendations, which are summarised in the following paragraph.
Five recommendations on how to cope during a heatwave
Here are five key tips for coping during a heatwave prevention:
- Drink plenty of water. We strongly advise you to drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day, or even more in very hot weather.
- Eat water-rich foods (fruit, vegetables) to stay hydrated. Avoid foods that are too salty, too sweet or too high in calories, and eat small quantities instead.
- Take cold or lukewarm showers or dampen yourself with wet towels to lower your body temperature.
- During hot weather, avoid strenuous activity and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, as this will raise your body temperature. Opt for air-conditioned areas (cinemas, libraries, etc.), cool interiors or shaded areas, and don't forget to close your shutters during the day to keep the interior cool.
- Keep in touch with those close to you! Especially vulnerable people.
For more heatwave safety tips, click here. In addition to this advice, you need to bear in mind the steps you need to take for yourself and those around you. In the event of heatwave-related symptoms, it's crucial to know how to react quickly and effectively so as not to aggravate your condition. To guarantee your safety and that of your loved ones:
- If your symptoms persist and/or worsen, do not hesitate to contact your GP or call 144 (Swiss emergency services).
- Keep in touch with those close to you who are at risk. If you are part of the at-risk group, make sure you can contact those around you quickly and easily, especially if the effects of the heatwave worsen.
In a nutshell: the most important things you need to know about heatwaves
Here are the main points summarizing this article on heatwaves and their effects on our health:
- A heatwave is a period of at least three days during which the temperature is very high both during the day and at night.
- Heatwaves can cause health problems such as headaches, fever, nausea and dizziness.
- The most vulnerable people are exposed to more serious risks: dehydration, heat stroke and even cardiovascular complications.
- There are three main things you can do to cope with a heatwave: keep well hydrated, avoid sunny areas and keep cool indoors, and stay in touch with relatives, especially those in poor health.
