Overview
- Peru’s Health Ministry and National Institute of Health warned of rising summer temperatures and urged adults—especially seniors—to drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids daily, prioritizing safe water and unsweetened natural drinks.
- INS specialists advised that at least four glasses be plain water and stressed drinking regularly even without thirst, as the body does not store water and dehydration develops quickly in heat.
- EsSalud’s Dr. Jorge Luis Solari Yokota cautioned that temperatures above about 30°C strain older adults’ ability to regulate heat, increasing the risk of dehydration and heat stroke, which requires immediate medical attention.
- Key warning signs include extreme fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion, hot or dry skin, reduced urination, and trouble speaking or walking, prompting urgent evaluation at a health facility.
- Clinicians recommended 1.5 to 2 liters of fluids per day, light meals, ventilation, and avoiding sun, caffeine, alcohol, and ultra‑processed or fatty foods, with extra vigilance for those with heart disease and for older adults living alone.