6 Min Read
The summer season is here in full force, providing a reprieve from the difficult winters, and it calls for recreational camps, lounging in the pool, and soaking in the sun. However, lately, it has felt less like fun and more like a glucose advertisement where the burning sun sucks out your energy. Moreover, rising temperatures bring with them an increased incidence of summer-season diseases such as stomach issues, skin problems, allergies, and respiratory ailments.
Synopsis
Why Do You Fall Ill During the Summer?
The main cause is that hotter temperatures and humidity prevent sweat from evaporating, which reduces cooling and increases the risk of dehydration—both of which weaken the immune system. Furthermore, spending more time outdoors and increased travel lead to higher exposure to sun, dust, and pollen, which can trigger allergies and headaches.
The constant temperature whiplash of moving from the hot sun into very cold, air-conditioned offices can confuse your body’s internal regulation, making you more susceptible to illness. This also happens where there is a shift between summer showers and the hot sun, often observed in certain parts of India. Additionally, we often keep windows open for better ventilation, which invites more mosquitoes and increases the risk of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.
Excessive heat also slows down digestion; combined with dehydration, this affects gut functionality. Food spoils more easily in the summer, and the overconsumption of cold drinks and ice cream can affect the digestive system, making one prone to infections and food poisoning.
Common Summer Diseases
Some of the most common diseases in the summer season include:
Heatstroke
It is extremely common to feel like you are overheating in the summer because, quite literally, you are, and this is known as heatstroke. When you are constantly exposed to high temperatures or engage in extensive physical activity for too long, your body temperature can rise to 40°C (104°F). Symptoms include delirium, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. Heatstroke can be life-threatening as it can quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles if not treated immediately.
Dehydration
When your body lacks enough water and fluids to perform its usual functions, or if it loses more fluid than it takes in, you experience dehydration. While it affects all ages, it occurs more often in children and older adults. It is also common for anyone active in hot weather to fail to drink enough water. While replenishing fluids can fix mild to moderate cases, severe dehydration requires medical treatment.
Seasonal Allergies
While allergies are often associated with spring, summer is not spared. Summer allergies include dry grasses, weeds, mould spores, air pollution, and dust (which worsens due to lack of rain). These can cause a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and itchy skin.
Common Cold
The common cold is not exclusive to cold seasons. While the viruses vary by season, common colds in summer are just as prevalent. The main culprits are rhinoviruses and enteroviruses, which cause nasal congestion, a persistent cough, sore throat, fever, and malaise.
Upper Respiratory Infections
If a common cold does not clear up, or if seasonal allergies and dust exposure become too intense, the upper respiratory tract can become infected. Viruses such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and adenoviruses can cause persistent infections leading to bronchitis (inflammation of the airway passages) or, in extreme cases, pneumonia.
Stomach Infections
Food contamination, dietary changes, dehydration, and poor hand hygiene make the gut susceptible to infections. You may experience severe acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, and indigestion. Noroviruses, Salmonella, and E. coli infections are the common culprits behind the stomach flu in summer.
How to Prevent Summer Diseases
Some simple ways you can stay healthy during the warmer months and prevent summer diseases include:
|
What to Do |
Why it Helps |
|
Drink 2–3 litres of water daily. Carry a reusable bottle and sip even if you aren't thirsty. |
Prevents heat exhaustion and helps the kidneys flush out toxins. |
|
Focus on light, water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and citrus. Avoid heavy, oily, or spicy meals. |
Heavy foods generate internal heat during digestion, making you feel more sluggish. |
|
Eat freshly cooked meals. Avoid street food and wash your hands before every meal. |
Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli multiply rapidly in warm, moist conditions. |
|
Stay indoors during peak hours (10 AM to 4 PM). If you must exercise, do it at dawn or dusk. |
Reducing exposure during the sun's highest intensity prevents sudden heatstroke. |
|
Choose loose-fitting, light-colored cotton or linen fabrics. |
These fabrics allow air to circulate and sweat to evaporate, cooling your body naturally. |
|
Use DEET-based repellents and mosquito nets. Ensure there is no standing water in coolers or pots. |
Stagnant water and open windows during humid evenings increase the risk of Dengue and Malaria. |
When to Visit a Doctor
While many summer ailments can be managed with rest and fluids, you should seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
-
A high fever and a body temperature that reaches 103°F (39.4°C) or higher that does not subside with basic care.
-
Signs of heatstroke include mental confusion, rapid pulse, fainting, or a lack of sweating despite the heat.
-
Extreme thirst, very dark urine, dizziness, or sunken eyes.
-
Persistent digestive issues such as chronic vomiting or diarrhoea that lasts more than 48 hours, or the presence of blood in the stool.
-
Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or a cough that produces thick or discoloured mucus.
-
Unexplained Rashes and skin irritations that spread rapidly or are accompanied by a high fever.
Conclusion
While the summer heat brings opportunities for outdoor fun and relaxation, it also presents significant health risks that shouldn't be ignored. By staying vigilant about hydration, practising strict food hygiene, and protecting yourself from extreme sun exposure, you can enjoy the season without falling victim to common seasonal ailments.
Remember, your body works harder in the heat, so listen to its signals and prioritise preventive care. If you experience severe symptoms like high fever or persistent dehydration, seek medical attention from an internal medicine specialist at Manipal Hospitals. They can help you understand and manage summer season diseases.
FAQ's
The five most common diseases in India during summer include heatstroke, dehydration, food poisoning, seasonal allergies, and the common cold. These conditions are primarily driven by extreme heat, increased allergens, and the rapid spoilage of food.
Several factors contribute to summer health problems, including high temperatures and humidity that weaken the immune system through dehydration. Additionally, rapid temperature variations and increased exposure to allergens or contaminated food make you more susceptible to disease.
Summer allergy symptoms typically include itchy and watery eyes, frequent sneezing, and an itchy nose or throat. These persist as long as you are exposed to the allergen (like dust or pollen). While the summer cold is caused by viruses (like rhinovirus), symptoms usually include body aches, fever, and a sore throat. The mucus is often thicker or discoloured, and the illness usually runs its course in 7 to 10 days.
-
Always carry your own water or consume sealed, bottled mineral water to avoid water-borne infections.
-
Avoid pre-cut fruits or street food that has been exposed to the sun and flies; opt for freshly cooked meals.
-
Avoid heavy physical exertion during peak sun hours (10 AM to 4 PM) and take breaks in shaded or cooled areas to regulate your body temperature.
Share this article on:
