The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), led by our West Midlands team, urges visitors taking part to be mindful of the latest health and hot weather advice

From July 28 to August 8, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will draw participants from all over the UK and the globe.

advice for the summer
Keep hydrated, consume a lot of fluids, and limit your alcohol consumption.

Make careful to have water with you if you must travel.

Limit your physical activity. If you must engage in physically demanding outdoor exercise, try to schedule it for cooler hours of the day, such as the early morning or late evening.

During the hottest hours of the day, particularly between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., seek shade.

When going outside in the heat:

Put on UV shields (preferably wraparound)

Use sunscreen with UVA protection of at least SPF 15 on your skin.
clad yourself in light, loose-fitting cotton clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.

Make sure infants, young children, or elderly individuals are never left alone in parked cars since they can easily overheat.

If you experience headaches, excessive thirst, or dizziness, get as close to a cool area as you can and sip some water or diluted fruit juice.

If you experience excruciating muscle cramps, especially in your legs, arms, or abdomen, find a cool spot to sit and consume electrolyte liquids.

Call 111 if you don’t feel better within 30 minutes.

If a person exhibits any symptoms of heatstroke, call 999 immediately because this is a medical emergency.

Symptoms include

feeling poorly (after 30 minutes resting in a cool place and drinking plenty of water)

not perspiring despite being overheated
a fever of 40°C or higher, rapid breathing, feeling of confusion, or shortness of breath (seizure)

being unconscious and unresponsive

Advice on how to stop the spread of stomach bugs

If you experience any vomiting or diarrhoea symptoms, stay at home.

Until 48 hours after the last symptom, avoid going to work, school, or socialising outside.

Remain hydrated.

Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, especially after using the restroom or just before preparing food.

Aim to avoid preparing food for others while sick.

Clean any surfaces in any locations where someone has experienced a sickness episode with a bleach-based cleaning solution.

Laundry soiled during an illness episode should be washed in hot water.

sex safety tips
Use condoms, especially when dating someone new.

If you’ve engaged in unprotected sex, get tested.

Make an appointment at a sexual health clinic, and refrain from having sexual activity until you have undergone testing and have received the all-clear regarding any STDs (STIs).

Recommendations to stop the spread of infectious diseases
If you experience any signs of an infectious disease, such as:

Signs of the coronavirus (COVID-19) or any other respiratory illness include diarrhoea or vomiting, fever, and general malaise.

Scarlet fever, chicken pox, measles, or monkey pox

Follow the public health recommendations for the illness you have.

For more information, visit NHS.UK, and call 111 if you are worried about the health of yourself or someone else.

Before mixing with big groups of people, try to make sure you are up to date on your MMR, MenACWY, and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Know the symptoms and signs of monkeypox, which can be contracted through intimate contact, including sex, and visit a sexual health clinic if you think you may be infected.

Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

Prior to eating, after using the restroom, and after sneezing or blowing your nose, wash your hands. Dispose of used tissues in a trash can.

You might decide to cover your face if you’re travelling by public transportation or mixing with a lot of people indoors.

Health Protection Consultant Caryn Cox from UKHSA West Midlands said:

We all need to apply sunscreen, don hats with wide brims and sunglasses, seek cover from the sun from 11 am to 3 pm, and drink plenty of water because the Met Office predicts a hot few weeks during the Games.

With so many people congregating to watch the Games and take part in the celebratory activities happening all over the region, there is a higher risk of spreading infections, including COVID-19 and gastrointestinal viruses that may be spread by poor hand hygiene.

If you’re sick, it’s better to stay at home.

Before interacting with a lot of people, it’s also good to be up to date on your usual vaccines, such as MMR, MenACWY, and COVID-19.

It’s crucial to practise safe sex because of the area’s lively atmosphere and high tourist traffic, which could lead to the spread of STDs.

So always use condoms, and if you’ve engaged in unprotected sex, have a STI test.

Even though monkeypox isn’t a STI, it can still be spread through close physical contact, so be aware of any symptoms and seek help from a sexual health clinic if you think you have it or another STI.