Extreme heat and poor air quality increase health risks for students in the summer.
Environmental issues such as excessive heat, poor air quality and smoke can be detrimental to fitness, said campus fitness director Dr. Kelly. Sarah Van Orman, at a press conference with the Daily Trojan on June 19.
“When the air quality reaches a certain level, it damages the respiratory system,” Van Orman said. “People can suffer from coughing, shortness of breath and asthma exacerbations. “
Pollutants can cause airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction (the contraction of the bronchial muscles in the lungs) that can manifest as airway symptoms.
For information on health risks, the U. S. Air Quality Index. The U. S. Department of Homeland Security measures air pollutants (aggregating levels of ozone and particulate pollutants) with AQI benchmarks and recommendations on the AirNow website.
“Depending on the point of contamination. . . especially in some wildfire-affected spaces, [air quality] can succeed in the bad area,” Van Orman said. “[AQI references] have rules about when to avoid strenuous outdoor activities,” Van Orman said.
Physical activity can force the lungs to work harder to deliver oxygen, which, combined with poor air quality, can pose health risks.
Poor air quality can be especially destructive to others with underlying health problems, such as asthma, Van Orman said. If chronic respiratory symptoms worsen, Americans should seek medical attention.
Extreme heat can worsen air quality: high temperatures increase the risk of health problems, adding respiratory symptoms, heart attacks, and mortality.
According to studies, environmental fitness considerations can also increase susceptibility to respiratory diseases, as poor air quality can affect lung function.
Respiratory ailments such as COVID-19 and the flu are controlled through prevention and medical care, Array Student Health said.
“We have a control at Student Health called the Respiratory Panel,” Van Orman said. “This is a very rapid [administered] PCR control that looks for 23 other viruses, adding pertussis, SARS-CoV-2, influenza. . . in express [diagnosis] cases. “
College campuses are prone to the spread of infectious respiratory diseases, Van Orman said, because students interact more with their peers in study halls and student housing.
“When scholars come to campus, they are in ideal situations for the spread of respiratory illnesses,” Van Orman said. “People [tend] to gather in much closer places, not only in study halls but also in social spaces [and] in dining halls. “
Van Orman advised that students get a flu shot every year, as flu season peaks in the winter months.
Still, as summer ailments spread, scholars are encouraged to practice infection prevention, in addition to washing their hands and wearing masks, especially when sick.
“Most respiratory viruses are spread through droplets, which means they have a tendency to spread when objects or a mucous membrane are touched,” Van Orman said. “Protect your peers: If you have a cold, [and] pass out and go to class, wear a mask, it makes a difference.
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