Common Illnesses During Summer

While winter is called the “season of illness,” some infections or illnesses are more common during spring and summer. As if the heat was not enough, getting sick in the summer is challenging. In order to enjoy your summer vacation, pool-side parties, and barbecue picnics, know about the common summer illnesses and ways to prevent and treat them effectively. It is better to prevent it rather than to treat the illnesses. To learn how you can prevent and treat ten of the worst summer sicknesses, please read on.

What Are the Most Common Summer Illnesses?

1) Common Summer Flu:

The flu is caused by the influenza virus and it is highly contagious. Usually, flu is quite common in winter. Despite the seasonal variations, there are people who experience common flu during the summer. The common flu symptoms are:

• Common cold.

• Dry cough.

• Fever.

• Headaches.

• Chills.

• Fatigue.

What Are the Home Remedies?

1. Salt Water Gargling: Gargling with salt water is often used for sore throats, cold, etc. It is effective in relieving infections and preventing them from getting worse.

2. Honey: Honey has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, so it can ease throat pain. It is also an effective cough suppressant.

3. Garlic: Garlic contains antimicrobial properties. Hence it can reduce the severity of the symptoms of a cold.

4. Vitamin C: Lemons, oranges, and grapes are rich in Vitamin C. Hence it reduces phlegm. It also helps to improve the immune system.

2) Heat Stroke:

Heat stroke is a condition in which the body temperature is elevated dramatically. It is also known as Sunstroke. The common signs you need to look for heat stroke are:

• High body temperature or hyperthermia.

• Excessive sweating.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Headache.

• Dizziness.

• Fatigue.

How to Prevent Heat Stroke?

• Always wear loosely fitted, cotton clothes during summer.

• Keep sipping on water.

• Avoid leaving your child in a parked car.

• Wear sunscreen with SPF more than 15.

3) Sunburn:

Sunburn is seen when your skin gets exposed to too much of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When sunburn appears, the skin turns red. You may also notice small blisters on the sunburned skin.

What Are the Complications of Sunburn?

Prolonged sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. It can also damage your eyes.

How to Prevent Sunburns?

• Avoid too much sun exposure. The sun rays are powerful from 10 AM to 3 PM. So avoid sun exposure during this period.

• Cover your face, arms, and legs with woven fabrics. Dark-colored clothes offer more protection from sun exposure.

• Use sunscreen lotions with an SPF of 30 or more before going outdoors.

• You can protect your eyes from sun exposure by wearing sunglasses.

4) Food Poisoning:

Food poisoning is a food-borne disease. It happens when toxin-contaminated food is ingested. It is also caused by infectious agents like parasites, viruses, or any bacteria. The most common causes of food poisoning are:

• Staphylococcus aureus.

• Salmonella.

• Clostridium perfringens.

What Are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning?

• Abdominal pain.

• Vomiting.

• Diarrhea.

• Mild fever.

• Headaches.

How Is Food Poisoning Treated At Home?

• Usually, when you are suffering from food poisoning, you will feel dehydrated. So it is important to stay hydrated.

• Have drinks that have high electrolytes.

• You should avoid foods or drinks that have high caffeine content as caffeine can irritate your digestive system and also result in dehydration.

• You should also avoid oily and spicy foods.

• You should also avoid alcohol and Nicotine.

How to Prevent Food Poisoning?

• Foods have to be cooked properly.

• Wash your hands before cooking and eating.

• The surfaces should be cleaned before cooking.

• Wash the fruits and vegetables before cooking.

• Foods have to be closed so that they are not exposed to infections.

When Should You Visit the Doctor?

Usually, food poisoning resolves within two to three days. But you should see the doctor when you have the following signs:

• Blood in stools and vomit.

• Diarrhea for more than three days.

• Severe abdominal pain.

• High fever.

• Increased heartbeat.

• Low blood pressure.

5) Lyme Disease:

Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease. It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. It is most likely to be contracted during the summer months. The symptoms are:

• Fever.

• Chills.

• Joint pain.

• Headaches.

• Swelling of the joints.

• Nerve pain.

• Numbness.

• 50% of the people affected by Lyme disease will have bulls' eye rashes (the rash has a red center that is surrounded by a clear ring and a red circle).

How Do You Prevent Lyme Disease?

• Wear long-sleeved clothes when going outdoors.

• Apply insect repellents topically.

If any ticks are noticed anywhere on your body, remove them quickly. So the incidence of Lyme disease will be low. After removing the tick, wash the area and immediately apply any Antiseptic cream to that infected area.

6) Coxsackie Virus:

The Coxsackievirus is one of the Enteroviruses. It is usually transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Infants and young children are more susceptible to this Coxsackievirus. More than 50% do not show any symptoms at all. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a type A coxsackievirus. It is most commonly seen in children. It can cause small blisters on the tongue, palms, and feet. It usually goes away on its own within a week.

How to Prevent the Coxsackie Virus?

The best way to prevent it is by keeping your hands and legs clean. Maintain proper hygiene.

Wash your hands frequently.

7) Eczema:

Eczema is a common skin disease. It is commonly seen in children. It is also called Atopic Dermatitis, and it appears as dry, scaly rashes on the skin. Increased sweating during the summer can aggravate the condition. The other symptoms of eczema are:

• Severe Itching

• Small blisters or bumps

How to Treat Eczema?

• Visit a Dermatologist.

• Antihistamines can relieve the symptoms.

8) Mumps:

Among all the summer diseases, mumps is the most contagious viral disease. It is transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes near you. Children are more susceptible. It typically starts with common flu symptoms like fever, headaches, muscle pain, and fatigue. It usually affects the salivary glands, and hence people may experience swelling of the salivary glands. Swelling of the salivary glands can show puffy cheeks and swollen jaws.

The best way to prevent mumps is to get vaccinated with a Mumps vaccine that is MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Side effects from this vaccine are very rare.

When Is the MMR Vaccine Administered?

The right time to get the vaccine is in two schedules:

• One is given at 15 - 18 months of age.

• And the other dosage is given at 4 - 6 years of age.

9) Chickenpox:

Chickenpox is a viral infection caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus. It mainly affects kids. It is highly contagious. The common symptoms and signs of chickenpox are:

• Blisters - They first appear on the trunk and face and later spread all over the body. It is very itchy sometimes.

• Fever.

• Loss of appetite.

Are You Susceptible to the Chickenpox Virus More Than Once, and When?

• When your immune system is weak.

• If you had the first case of chickenpox when you were less than six months old and if it was mild.

10) Typhoid:

Typhoid is a water-borne disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is spread through the fecal-oral route. It can be transmitted from person to person. The symptoms of typhoid are:

• Fever.

• Pain in the abdomen.

• Fatigue.

• Loss of appetite.

• Diarrhea or constipation.

• Few people may also experience small rashes on the body.

How to Prevent It?

The best way to prevent it is to get vaccinated. Once vaccinated, the bacteria are injected in the form of medicine, and immunity is built against it. Maintain proper hygiene.

Conclusion:

The reason for the outbreak of diseases during summer are the favorable weather conditions for the bacteria, virus, or parasites to breed. As the saying goes, “ Prevention is better than cure.” It is better to prevent the diseases rather than struggling with them. The most common and best ways to avoid summer illnesses are:

• Keep yourselves hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids that have electrolytes.

• Maintain proper hygiene. Wash your hands frequently.

• Avoid exposure to the sun. Protect your eyes with sunglasses. Wear full-sleeved clothes.

• Apply Sunscreens with high SPF.

• Eat fruits that are rich in Vitamin C, which helps to boost your immunity.

You can enjoy your summer with proper precautions.