SUMMER is here! It is one of the two seasons in our country. The summer season is considered to be the hottest season every year. During this season, the temperature rises and there are very few rainfalls. Summer is the season when there is bright sun, clear skies, and warm air. It is also observed that during the summer season, days are longer and nights become shorter.
Because of the hotness of the temperature during the summer season, there are plenty of diseases that occur during the summer season. These diseases or illnesses mostly take place during the summer season when the temperature rises to its highest point. The sun is very bright, the sky is very clear and the air is very warm thus making these diseases occur during the summer season.
In the article “A Guide to the Most Common Illnesses During the Summer” which can be seen or read at https://www.makatimed.net.ph, the dry season in the Philippines falls from March to May. More commonly known as summer, this is the period when people usually go to the beach or air-conditioned shopping and dining establishments to escape the heat. During this season, certain diseases are more common due to rising temperatures that can reach dangerous levels. It is also ideal for the pathogen to thrive and spread in such conditions. Summer sickness range from sore eyes to skin conditions and asthma- the list goes on. Health problems arising from these illnesses should not be ignored, nor should they prevent anyone from having a relaxing summertime.
In the said article, these are the most common diseases during the summer season in our country: asthma, chickenpox, conjunctivitis ( sore eyes ), flu, food poisoning, hyperthermia, measles, mumps, rabies, and skin conditions. Heat and humidity can trigger asthma symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath, as lack of air movement can trap pollutants like dust and molds into the airways. Chickenpox is a viral infection that typically affects children, which is why the first dose of the varicella vaccine should be given to kids between ages 12 and 15 months and the second dose from ages 4 to 6. In conjunctivitis or sore eyes, the outer lining around the eyeball and the inner lining of the eyelid becomes inflamed. This may be due to a viral or bacterial infection that thrives during the season, an allergic reaction, or trauma. The conjunctiva or the covering of the white part of the eyes may show redness, with noticeable itching and discharge around the eyes, too. Although influenza viruses are also prevalent in cold weather, they can still cause summer flu. Weather changes, like sudden downpours or temperature shifts from hot outdoor to cool indoor environments and vice versa, can make someone susceptible to respiratory diseases like coughs and colds.
Foodborne illnesses are twice more common during the summer season than in other months of the year since food spoils easily. Contaminated food and drinks can cause diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and, possible complications for those with chronic health conditions. Hyperthermia is a condition where the body temperature becomes abnormally high, signaling that it cannot regulate heat coming from the environment. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are medical emergencies that fall under hyperthermia. A condition transmitted in the same way as chickenpox, measles is another example of a childhood illness that spreads during summer. The Rubeola virus causes measles, with symptoms that include dry cough, high fever, runny nose, and reddening of the eyes. Measles can also cause complications ranging from ear infections to pneumonia. The MMR ( measles, mumps, and rubella ) vaccine is a way to give people immunity against the disease. Mumps is an infectious disease caused by a paramyxovirus that is spread through an infected person’s droplets of saliva. It is concentrated around the salivary glands near the ears, causing them to swell. This inflammation on one or both sides of the face may cause pain or difficulty in chewing or swallowing. Mumps may also be accompanied by a fever, headache, and muscle pains. Summer outdoor activities can increase the chance of encounters with rabies-infected animals like cats, dogs, and bats as they go to areas where they can find food or water. When someone exposes their broken skin to an infected animal’s saliva or is bitten by the animal, the rabies virus can then be transmitted to humans. Sunburn is a common skin condition that happens when someone is in direct and prolonged exposure to the sun. The intense heat can cause first-degree burns with skin redness and peeling or second-degree burns with blisters (A Guide to the Most Common Illnesses During the Summer).
There are some ways that individuals can do to prevent these common diseases or illnesses during the summer season. According to the said article, the following are the ways that humans can do, always stay hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure, maintain proper hygiene, practice healthy eating, get adequate rest, keep the house and surroundings clean, and engage in light physical activity.
A person loses more water due to the summer heat and sweating. If this cannot be prevented, this can lead to a wide range of health conditions, so it is important to always stay hydrated during the summer season. Another thing to remember is to avoid long exposure to the summer sun. It is because if we expose ourselves to the heat of the sun for a longer period, it can result in different illnesses like sunburns and other skin conditions. We must also maintain proper hygiene. Take a bath every day especially if it is too hot during the summer season. Good hygiene is an excellent defense against bacteria and viruses. We must also practice healthy eating during the summer season. Healthy eating practices ensure that the body’s nutritional needs are met. We must also get enough rest and sleep during the summer season. The body heals and recovers faster when it is well-rested. We must also maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of our respective houses and surroundings to eliminate harmful elements like allergens, bacteria, and viruses. We must also engage in some exercises or physical activities during the summer season. The summer heat should not stop us from accomplishing our goals to be fit and healthy during the summer season. So, it is proper to do some exercises or physical activities even during the summer season.
Let us instill in our hearts and minds the true essence of our health and well-being during the summer season. We must forget the things that we must do to avoid the different common diseases that occur during the summer season. If we can avoid these diseases during the summer season, for sure we can enjoy the summer season every year.
