Shenzhen's major hospitals have seen 20 to 30 percent more patients over the past week due to the hot weather.
Beijing University Shenzhen Hospital received at least 12 patients suffering from heatstroke every day. Combined with patients suffering from diseases worsened by the heat wards were filling up, according to Wang Yongjian, director of the emergency department of the hospital.
The number of fever and heatstroke patients had also increased by 20 percent at the Shenzhen People's Hospital, the biggest hospital in the city. Most patients, particularly children and the elderly, had similar symptoms such as dizziness and vomiting, but were recovering well, said Shan Aijun, director of the emergency department of the hospital in Luohu District.
A total of 17 people with heatstroke were taken to hospitals by ambulance in six days, including 11 who worked outdoors, according to the city's Emergency Medical Center yesterday.
Meanwhile, the number of patients suffering from long-term illnesses, such as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, has also increased by 20 percent due to the heat, Zhou Jiongfeng, director of the emergency department of Shenzhen No. 2 People's Hospital, said.
"Most of these people got diarrhea because they ate bad food caused by the high temperatures and patients with diseases such as diabetes can easily get heatstroke," Zhou said.
Doctors suggested residents should take measures to prevent heatstroke, such as wearing sunglasses and hats, eating more fruit and vegetables and drinking more fluids.
(By Wang Yuanyuan)
