First Aid Guidelines for Common Winter Illnesses

● Hypothermia

(1) Symptoms Chills, fatigue, confusion, memory impairment, speech impairment, etc.

• Infants under 1 year old: bright red, cold skin; little movement

(2) High-risk groups Older adults living alone (low-income groups) / infants and young children / homeless people / cases of homelessness after drinking alcohol or taking drugs / patients with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease / patients with high blood pressure

(3) First aid guidelines ① When a person with hypothermia occurs, it is important for nearby companions to recognize it quickly. ② Remove the patient’s wet clothes, dry them, and change them into dry clothes. Then wrap them in a dry blanket or sleeping bag, and place a heat pack or hot water bottle under the armpits and on the abdomen. - If you cannot get these materials, hugging the person directly can also be effective. ③ In mild cases, basic care such as covering with a blanket may be sufficient. ④ If the patient’s body temperature is judged to be below 35˚C, provide on-site care and use 119 to transport them to a hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

● Frostbite

(1) Symptoms Abnormal symptoms initially include pain in the skin or redness

If you have even one of the following symptoms, frostbite is likely. · The skin color has turned white or yellowish gray · The skin feels abnormally hard to the touch · Reduced skin sensation

(2) High-risk groups · People with poor blood circulation · People who were unable to wear appropriate clothing in severe cold

(3) First aid guidelines ① Move the patient from a cold environment to a warm environment. ② Remove wet clothing and wrap the entire body in a warm blanket. ③ Immediately immerse the frostbitten area in warm water at about 3842˚C for 2040 minutes.     About 38~42˚C: make it so that it is not uncomfortable if a non-frostbitten area is immersed. ④ For frostbite of the ears or face, apply a warm wet towel and replace it frequently. ⑤ Place sterilized dry gauze between the toes and fingers to remove moisture and prevent them from sticking together. ⑥ Raise the frostbitten area slightly to reduce pain and swelling. ⑦ When transporting the patient to a hospital, move them on a stretcher. If frostbite occurs in the legs, they should not walk even after they have thawed. ⑧ Transport to the hospital as quickly as possible.

● Injury

(1) Symptoms Injuries caused by falls - dislocations, fractures, bruises, etc. caused by slipping, falling, or dropping

(2) High-risk groups Elderly people with limited mobility / infants and children

(3) First aid guidelines If the injury is severe and it is difficult to move on your own, ask the 119 rescue team for help.

• To prevent additional fractures, avoid forcing movement.

So far, I have explained first aid guidelines for common winter illnesses. In the next part, we will look at bone fractures.

Source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency National Health Information Portal