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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) — the heat has been unbearable here in East Tennessee, but in other parts of the state it’s been deadly.

There have been two heat related deaths in West Tennessee. in Shelby County, a 75-year-old woman, with health issues, died in her home, when her air conditioner wasn’t on. And, in Tipton County, a 60-year-old man died after falling in his driveway, and lying in the heat for hours.

The heat wave continues, so there are things you need to know to make sure your family, of all ages, is safe outside.

David Farmer took his three daughters to the Carl Cowan Park in Farragut too cool off Wednesday. “Unfortunately we’ve had to stay inside a lot just because it’s so hot, and then you’ve got to find water sources just to cool the body off,” he said.

He is trying to find ways to have fun and be safe in the sun. He said, “They do get heated and flushed, but they don’t want to stop, so you’ve got to find cool sources.”

UT Medical Center’s emergency department sees an increase in heat related illnesses about this time every year, and Nurse Manager Christian Lawson says you can get sick from the sun, quicker than you might realize.

He said, “The extreme heat setting, symptoms could develop with in 15 to 20 minutes if you’re not properly hydrating.”

He said you need to keep an eye out for certain signs and symptoms, starting with Heat Exhaustion, when you’re sweating a lot, and feeling dizzy. Cramps are also possible, and a more common symptom for kids.

The worst is Heat Stroke, he said, “Your body has exhausted all of it’s compensatory mechanisms. You’re not sweating anymore, your skin is very hot, your actual internal body temperature gets above normal, and that is a true medical emergency.”

Lawson said children and the elderly are the most common victims of heat illnesses, and “If you have diabetes high blood pressure, other illnesses like that, that predisposes you to develop heat related signs and symptoms and illnesses more quickly,” he said.

You can prepare for extreme heat by drinking plenty of water before you go out, and avoiding direct sunlight.

David pointed out he purposely sat on the shaded bench, while his girls played in the water.

Lawson said to also check your clothing labels, “There’s kind of a term in the emergency setting world that ‘cotton kills.’ It’s not the best to be wearing in the heat.” He says synthetics will help get the sweat away from your body.

Lawson said everyone should get a minimum of 64 ounces of water a day, but if you’re going to be outside or exerting yourself, then you need to drink even more. Sports drinks are a good alternative to water, but he says sodas are the worst when you’re dehydrated.

To see the latest forecast and what the next 8 days will be like, CLICK HERE.

Thirteen years ago, Samantha Spencer ate a handful of fresh strawberries and wound up with hepatitis a, a virus that infects the liver and is commonly associated with eating contaminated food while on vacation.

But Spencer was not away at a tropical, all-inclusive resort — she was 15 years old and at a summer camp near Toronto.

"it was a shock," the 28-year-old woman says now, looking back on what she calls a "traumatic" experience. "I never suspected that I could get it in Toronto."

Spencer is like the majority of Canadians who, according to a new poll by the Canadian Liver Foundation released Wednesday, believe common myths about food-related illnesses and may have a false sense of security when it comes to food safety.

The survey conducted by the charity found that most Canadians erroneously believe that where they eat and where they shop will help protect them from such food-related illnesses as hepatitis a.

They also falsely believe that hepatitis a and hepatitis B are mostly diseases contracted outside Canadian borders, notes the report.

"most tend to think of these as travel-related diseases when, in fact, the majority of patients who pick up hepatitis a pick up their disease in Canada. this is true of hepatitis B as well," Dr. Morris Sherman, chairman of the Canadian Liver Foundation, said in an interview.

Sixty-five per cent of Canadians surveyed said they knew they could be exposed to hepatitis a when eating on holiday, but only 35 per cent recognized there are risks in Canada. Almost 60 per cent said they were not worried about contracting a food-related disease because they buy their fresh produce from a reputable store and 63 per cent said they felt safe because they eat at reputable restaurants. just over half of those polled — 53 per cent — said they try to purchase local fruits and vegetables and, therefore, they don’t need to be concerned.

"Canadians really are not fully aware of the risks of acquiring either hepatitis a or B," Sherman said.

Leger Marketing questioned 1,521 Canadians. The survey has a confidence level of 2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

Hepatitis a is usually acquired by ingesting contaminated water or food that was grown in contaminated soil or washed with contaminated water from areas with poor sanitation standards. It’s also spread by food service workers who fail to wash their hands properly after going to the bathroom.

In some cases, such as Spencer’s, symptoms don’t immediately show up, but when they do, they can last a few weeks to several months.

Spencer noticed she was feeling ill about a month after eating the contaminated fruit, and thought she had the flu. She was fatigued, lost her appetite, dropped nearly seven kilograms in two weeks, and then, her skin turned yellow — a classic symptom of a liver disorder. a blood test confirmed Spencer had hepatitis a, along with three other campers who also ate the strawberries.

"You can’t sleep, you’re itchy, you’re so uncomfortable, weak, tired, and you don’t want to go out in public because you’re bright yellow," said Spencer, who was sick for about six weeks.

While she feels her digestive system never fully recovered from her bout with the virus, Spencer has a clean bill of health.

In the wake of her illness, the young woman said she is extra cautious about what she eats.

"For a while, I felt like I had to become hyper-vigilant about how my food was prepared and what I was eating," she said.

Proper hygiene and food handling can help reduce the risk of infection, but Sherman, a liver specialist at Toronto General Hospital, advises Canadians to get vaccinated against both hepatitis a and B.

Hepatitis B is spread through blood and bodily fluids and risk factors include having unprotected sex and getting a tattoo or piercing, a pedicure, manicure or a dental or medical procedure with inadequately sterilized instruments. it has similar symptoms to hepatitis a but can keep recurring. An estimated 250,000 Canadians are living with chronic hepatitis B, which can cause scarring of the liver, liver cancer and organ failure.

The Liver Foundation survey also revealed that Canadians are not taking the proper precautions to protect themselves from liver diseases. Only 49 per cent said they always wash their produce and only 43 per cent said they do not re-wash their frozen or bagged fruits and vegetables. Only one-third believe they are vaccinated against hepatitis a and 37 per cent think they are vaccinated against hepatitis B.

© Copyright (c) Postmedia News

By Fred Cicetti Published: 2:00 AM – 02/09/11

Q. I’m a healthy 71-year-old woman, and I sweat a lot. I was wondering if it’s something I should discuss with my doctor.

A. Heavy sweating, or perspiration, is normal if you are exercising, are in a hot environment or are nervous. it also happens during menopause.

Healthy people sweat, but the amount varies widely. Some people inherit heavy sweating, especially on their palms and the soles of their feet. according to the American Academy of Dermatology, excessive sweating affects about 8 million Americans.

Hyperhidrosis — or sweating too much — can be caused by a health disorder related to your thyroid gland, nervous system or blood sugar.

You should go to a doctor if, suddenly, you begin to sweat much more (or less) than usual. other symptoms that should prompt a doctor visit are a change in body odor, the onset of night sweats for no obvious reason and sweating that disrupts your life.

Perspiration is the body’s cooling process. Glands in your skin produce sweat, which is a clear, salty liquid. most people have several million sweat glands distributed over their bodies. Sweat cools your body as it evaporates. when sweat mixes with bacteria on your skin, it can produce an unpleasant smell. Sweat, itself, is odorless.

If heavy sweating and body odor are problems for you, try over-the-counter antiperspirants and deodorants. If these products don’t work for you, your doctor may prescribe aluminum chloride.

In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Botox (botulinum toxin type A), a drug that erases wrinkles, to treat severe underarm sweating that cannot be managed by topical agents. Botox is injected into the armpit, temporarily paralyzing the nerves in the underarm that stimulate sweat production.

There has been an e-mail circulating on the Internet that links antiperspirants to breast cancer. the National Cancer Institute, the FDA and the American Cancer Society say that no existing scientific or medical evidence links the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants to the development of breast cancer.

Some believe that the myth could have been started by women who were told not to wear antiperspirants or deodorants before a mammogram. the instructions were intended to prevent residue from these products showing up in X-rays and being mistaken for an abnormality in the breast.

Here are some tips to deal with sweating and body odor:

– Don’t eat malodorous foods such as garlic. — cut back on caffeine, which can stimulate sweating.– Natural fabrics, such as cotton, leather and wool, let your skin breathe. Wear clothing made of these fabrics to permit perspiration to evaporate.– use foot powders to absorb sweat. — Change shoes and socks often.– Remove your shoes occasionally during the day to allow your feet to dry.– Because stress can produce perspiration, you should try meditation or other relaxation techniques to relieve your tension.– Shower or bathe more often to eliminate bacteria.

Fred Cicetti is a freelance health-care writer from Sussex County, N.J. If you have a question, send an e-mail to .

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