Children, elderly people and persons suffering from cardiac diseases – most vulnerable to cold

Two persons, including a minor, suffered frostbite and were rushed to the hospital. Silvia Babara, coordinating doctor at the Chisinau Ambulance Service, told Info-Prim Neo that the low temperatures continue to cause victims. A 14-year-old minor from Gura Bacului village of Anenii-Noi district was discovered by the police on the street in Chisinau and taken to the hospital with several toes frostbitten. A man aged 31, who came to Chisinau from Drochia, got his hands and feet frostbitten. Silvia Babara said by 3-4 victims of the cold weather are hospitalized every day. Extended exposure to cold may lead to hypothermia. Alcohol consumption prior to cold exposure may increase one's risk of becoming hypothermic. Alcohol acts as a vasodilator, increasing blood flow to the body's extremities, thereby increasing heat loss. Ironically, this may cause the victim to feel warm while rapidly losing heat to the surrounding environment. Treatment ranges from noninvasive, passive external warming, to active external rewarming. In severe cases resuscitation begins with simultaneous removal from the cold environment and concurrent management of the airway, breathing, and circulation. Rapid rewarming is then commenced. The children, elderly people and persons suffering from heart diseases are the most vulnerable to cold. The cold can aggravate the cardiorespiratory diseases and lead to cardiac arrest or brain injuries. Yesterday and last night, the Chisinau Ambulance Service recorded 744 calls, dealing with 68 cases of acute viral infection, 27 cases of flu, 26 cases of pneumonia, 75 cases of trauma and ten strokes.