The 5 most frequent diseases in summer: what to watch out for?

Even during the summer season we must pay attention to some health problems that can ruin our holidays.

In the common imagination, winter is often linked to illness: the cold that freezes our bones, the fever and the respiratory ailments that suddenly attack us … Instead, we have to deal with some of these problems even in summer. In fact, viruses and bacteria never go on vacation and we must not let our guard down with the arrival of the first heat. But what are the most frequent diseases in summer?

The sunstroke and the heat stroke

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause more than some unpleasant sunburn. This is the case of the sunstroke, which manifests itself with a high fever and the appearance of erythema. Much more dangerous is the heat stroke , which can also occur in closed rooms. It is in fact a form of hyperthermia, and occurs when the body is unable to thermoregulate itself after exposure to high temperatures.

The symptoms of heat stroke are quite serious: those affected by it have very high fever, hot and dry skin, absence of sweating , dizziness, headache, hallucinations, rapid breathing, low blood pressure. In some cases, the person also comes to lose consciousness . If such a situation occurs, it is important to call 911 immediately.

Insect bite allergies

Bees, wasps, mosquitoes and many other insects are waiting for the summer to storm us. In most cases, insect bites are only unpleasant drawbacks that cause swelling in the affected area, itching and sometimes pain. But attention must be paid to a possible allergic reaction .

If, after an insect bite, symptoms such as fever, gastrointestinal problems, labored breathing , hypotension and collapse occur, it is appropriate to go to the emergency room immediately. It could in fact be an anaphylactic shock , which requires medical intervention. If you already know that you have an allergy to some insect bites, you will need to pay more attention in the summer.

Traveler’s diarrhea

Its name has a very simple explanation: it often affects tourists who travel abroad, to places where some pathogenic microorganisms are widespread . Traveler’s diarrhea is often caused by Escherichia coli, Giardia, Rotavirus or Salmonella.

Contagion occurs through contaminated food or water , especially in very hot and humid countries, where bacteria and viruses find a suitable habitat for their proliferation. The disease is manifested by frequent diarrhea discharges, associated with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea , vomiting and fever. In severe cases, care must be taken not to dehydrate .

Jellyfish stings

Watch out for jellyfish when swimming in the sea to avoid nasty surprises. In reality it is not a question of real bites, but of a reaction due to the contact of the stinging tentacles with the skin. In fact, the jellyfish releases rather poisonous substances that cause very annoying symptoms.

Those who are affected find themselves with red patches in the contact area, where intense pain is triggered. Swelling and blistering may also occur. Usually, the pain passes after about half an hour, giving way to severe itching . In rare cases, an allergic reaction may develop that requires medical attention.

Mycoses

Those who are not lucky enough to go to the beach will probably take a few days to take a dip in the pool. Here too the risk is always around the corner, particularly in the form of pathogenic fungi . Among the skin diseases that affect in summer there is mycosis, a very contagious infection , which is transmitted mainly in public places where heat and humidity are a constant.

The main symptoms of swimming pool mycosis are scaly and very itchy patches that in most cases appear between the fingers, under the soles of the feet or in the palms of the hands. Sometimes a little attention is enough to avoid infection : always use slippers and keep your skin dry and clean are important tips to follow.

Photo source: https://pixabay.com/it/photos/acqua-beach-mare-estate-ocean-3266211/