Summer is a time for fun in the sun, but those warm, sticky days can also bring an explosion of illnesses. The most common types of illness during summer are often the most unfortunate - gastroenteritis, ear infections, asthma attacks and red rashes to name just a few.
When you’re having loads of fun in the sun and surf, it can be easy to forget the potential ill effects of summer. With that in mind, here are four illnesses to look out for this summer.
- Asthma Attacks – summer can be a dangerous time for kids and adults with asthma. More air pollution, high pollen levels and increased mould growth due to high humidity can cause a spike in asthma attacks. Symptoms of an asthma attack can include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and difficulty performing normal daily activities. If you are prone to asthma attacks, keep a close eye on pollen and air pollution. The severity of an asthma attack can escalate rapidly, so it's important to seek a doctor if any of these symptoms occur.
- Food Poisoning – as the temperature increases, so does the rate of food poisoning. The Food Safety Information Council estimates there are 5.4 million cases of food poisoning a year (including 120 deaths), 1.2 million visits to doctors, 300,000 prescriptions for antibiotics and 2.1 million days of lost work each year. The reason for the outbreak increase in summer is because the bacteria that causes food poisoning grows faster in hot and humid weather. Food poisoning is also one of those illnesses that can be prevented by, frequently washing your hands, wiping cooking surfaces, not allowing foods and utensils to become cross contaminated and cooking foods to their proper temperature and promptly refrigerating leftovers.
- If you are suffering from food poisoning, avoid solid foods until nausea and vomiting ends and drink clear fluids to prevent dehydration. If your symptoms are lasting more than 3 days or you have severe belly pain, fever or signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue or increased heart rate, it is best to call a doctor for treatment.
- Swimmers ear and ear infections – next to the common cold, ear infections and swimmers ear are the most common illness in children. Ear infections occur when fluid or other debris gets trapped in the middle ear and becomes infected. The signs and symptoms of an ear infection include pain in the middle ear, your child may not want to eat or they could have trouble sleeping. A child who might have an ear infection should visit a doctor, as they may need antibiotics. To see other treatment options, see one of our earlier posts on the topic here.
- Heat rash – this is a harmless but very itchy skin rash that can appear all over the body. It is caused by the sweat blocking the sweat ducts in heat and high humidity and results in tiny red spots, an irritating itch, a prickling sensation and occasionally mild swelling. If this occurs, it is best to keep your body cool and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and an application of a medicated powder can also help. The rash usually disappears after a few hours and it is unlikely that you will need further treatment.
If you need an after hours doctor home visit from National Home Doctor Service during summer to treat these or any other ailments, call 13 SICK. Home Doctor is available for home visits from 6pm weeknights, 12 noon on Saturdays, all day Sundays and public holidays. To find out if we cover your area, simply type your postcode in our suburb locator here.
