A typical medical misconception is that summertime means you can’t get sick; unfortunately, that is not true. The summer season brings its own set of ailments. Luckily, most of these ailments are preventable if you know what to look for and how to prepare. Today, we are going to share with you how to prevent summer sickness.
How to Prevent Summer Sickness
#1: Sunburn
With summer comes an increase in exposure to harmful UV rays; essentially, too much sunshine results in sunburn. The best way to prevent sunburns is to be cautious and prepared when spending time outside. You can avoid sunburns by applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and ensuring that you don’t overdo your time in the sun.
#2: Heat Stroke & Heat Exhaustion
Along with increased exposure to the sun, summer often brings higher temperatures. When the body is not used to the heat or the heat reaches above-average levels, it can cause the body to overheat. When the body overheats, it can result in heat stroke and heat exhaustion. To prevent both, it is recommended to be aware of how much time you are exposed to the heat, drink plenty of fluids, especially water, wear loose clothing, and avoid physical activity during the hottest parts of the day.
#3: Food Poisoning
Summer picnics and outdoor barbeques are tremendous fun during the summer. Unfortunately, increased temperatures can result in food spoiling quickly. When spoiled food is consumed, it can make a person quite ill. To avoid food going bad, you will want to keep your food refrigerated or in coolers and never let food sit out for more than 5 hours. Additionally, if the food smells, looks, or tastes funny, don’t risk it and throw it away immediately!
#4: Cold & Flu
The cold and flu do not stop just because it is summer; they are year around viruses. Cold and flu prevention is the same during the summer as any other time of the year. If you believe that you have a cold or the flu, please visit a doctor before continuing with outdoor activities like visiting the beach, pool parties, traveling, or any other event that will lead you to spread the virus to others.
#5: Asthma & Allergies
Seasonal allergies are a common problem in the summer due to increased pollen in the air. If you have asthma or allergies, you may want to avoid activities that will lead to excess contact with your allergy, like mowing the grass or smelling the roses. Additionally, you may have to invest in an air filter for your home.
#6: Insect Bites & Stings
Many insects love the summer, so you will likely see an increase in your local insect population. This increased contact may end up leading to harmful stings or bites, especially to children and pets. For more information on preventing insect bites and stings, please read our article on How to Prevent Summer Bug Bites.
Fortunately, most summertime sicknesses are easily preventable if you take appropriate. For more information on how to do this, we recommend that you continue reading our blog!
