3 Illnesses to Watch Out for This Summer Illnesses

Now that cold and flu season is behind us, getting sick may be the last thing on your mind. But with the warm weather comes a flurry of new risks and illnesses. Here are three ailments to look out for this summer.

Lyme Disease

According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme disease is spread through the bites of blacklegged ticks. The ticks lay their eggs in the springtime and hatch just in time for the arrival of summer. Most ticks tend to bite people in hard-to-see areas (i.e. the groin or armpit), which makes physical detection important.

Symptoms of Lyme can emerge between three and 30 days after a bite and include fever, headaches, fatigue and a rash. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks, and oftentimes a laboratory test is used to confirm findings.

If left untreated, the bacteria can spread into the joints, heart and nervous system. Luckily, if found early, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. To reduce your risk, stay clear of dense, grassy areas, always use insect repellent and check pets for ticks regularly.

If you do spot a tick on your skin, the best way to remove it is with a pair of tweezers. Carefully grasp it by its head and pull slowly and steadily so it doesn’t leave behind pieces. This is important because if you pull too aggressively, the head will likely remain stuck.

Coxsackievirus

Coxsackievirus is part of the enterovirus family of viruses that live in the human digestive tract. They can spread from person to person, usually via unwashed hands and surfaces contaminated by feces, where they can live for several days. In climates like New England, outbreaks are more common in the summer and fall.

Children are most likely to contract the virus, though adults are also at risk. Symptoms can be very similar to the flu, and include headache, joint pain, sore throat, rash and fever. However, around half of those infected show no symptoms. Coxsackievirus is also known to cause hand foot and mouth disease, and in rare cases can lead to meningitis and hospitalization.

The duration of the virus varies widely, but usually clears up on its own within 10 days. Children should be kept out of school and day care when they have the virus given how contagious it is. In terms of treatment, most doctors suggest rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers or fever reducers when appropriate. Given that there is no vaccine to prevent coxsackievirus, hand-washing is the best protection.

Norovirus
You’ve likely already heard of norovirus, given it’s the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States. According to the CDC, norovirus is highly-contagious and can be transmitted through an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

The virus causes your stomach or intestines (or both) to get inflamed and diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting typically start to occur 24 to 48 hours after exposure. Other common symptoms include fever, headache and body ache. Although symptoms typically last just one to three days, norovirus can be especially dangerous for both infants and the elderly due to dehydration.

Similar to coxsackievirus, there are no medications to treat norovirus. Instead, drink plenty of liquids and be mindful of the common signs of dehydration, including a decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat and dizziness when standing. In terms of prevention, make hand hygiene a priority, always cook seafood and meats thoroughly, wash fruits and veggies, and do not prepare food while sick. Additionally, make sure you clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces, and wash laundry thoroughly.

While illness is the last topic you’ll want to think about when enjoying the warm, New England weather, you’ll be thankful when your days are spent poolside, not in bed. If you’re worried that you or a family member may have contracted one of these common summertime illnesses, visit your local CareWell Urgent Care Center. With locations across New England, CareWell can provide diagnostic assistance that you and your family can rely on.