Chennai: The public health department has warned people not to self-medicate with paracetamol or aspirin when the body feels overheated due to intense sun exposure, saying it can harm the liver and kidneys.
Health officials noted that the average human body temperature is about 37°C. When it rises beyond this, symptoms such as headache, fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps, fainting and even seizures may occur, indicating heat-related illness.
Public health expert Kuzhandaisamy said that instead of taking tablets on one’s own, the affected person should be cooled by wiping the body with a cloth soaked in water and using a fan. He advised giving cool water, tender coconut water or buttermilk, and keeping the person seated in a cool place until they return to normal.
If the person is unconscious, they should be taken immediately to the nearest hospital. He stressed that aspirin and paracetamol are meant for fever caused by infections and may, during heat stress, lead to adverse effects such as liver and kidney damage and low blood pressure—especially if taken without a doctor’s advice or in excess.
