Summer is on the horizon and while we’re hoping for warm weather, there’s a range of illnesses that become more prevalent throughout the summer season, a doctor has warned. Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, has looked at some of the most common summer illnesses and how to treat or avoid them.
Dr Grant, who has worked as a GP around Bristol for 35 years, said: “As we approach summer, it’s important to be aware of the more widespread illnesses during the warmer months. Understanding the conditions with an increased risk throughout summer can help identify them early - or avoid them altogether."
Heatstroke
Dr Grant said: “One illness that is more frequent in summer is heatstroke. This heat-related illness can affect anyone with prolonged exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight. Heatstroke is an incredibly dangerous condition that can be fatal, so I advise anyone who feels they may be suffering from the illness to seek urgent medical attention.
“Symptoms of heatstroke include high body temperature, altered behaviour, nausea, rapid heart rate, and headache. Moving to a cooler environment and hydrating can help ease symptoms until medical attention arrives. To avoid falling ill with heatstroke, drink sufficient amounts of water in the heat - I recommend at least three litres on a hot day - limit sun exposure and wear appropriate clothing to help regulate body temperature."
Hay fever
Dr Grant said: “Moving on, hay fever is a less dangerous illness but still extremely common in summer. Hay fever is a condition caused by an allergy to airborne substances such as pollen. It affects our nasal passages and causes sinus pressure, sneezing, nasal congestion, and watery eyes. If you’re suffering from these symptoms while enjoying a day out in the sun, the chances are you’ve got hay fever.
“While it’s difficult to avoid hay fever completely, especially if you’re prone to allergies, there are ways to manage exposure to pollen to reduce the symptoms. Keeping windows closed during days with high pollen counts, using a dehumidifier, cleaning regularly, and changing clothes after exposure to pollen are great ways of minimising hay fever triggers.
“For medical treatment, I recommend Chlorphenamine Tablets, an antihistamine used to treat symptoms associated with allergic reactions, such as hay fever. Additionally, Benacort Nasal Spray is an effective medicine for reducing nasal congestion caused by the allergic reaction.”
Migraines
Dr Grant said: “While they’re not technically a summer illness, migraines are commonly experienced throughout the warmer months. Dehydration, changes in humidity, and exposure to bright sunlight often trigger migraines, hindering the enjoyment of summer activities.
“To reduce the risk of summer migraines, prioritise hydration, particularly when outdoors or exercising. Wear sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes from bright sunlight, and use air conditioning or fans to maintain a comfortable temperature, decreasing the likelihood of a migraine.
“For those prone to migraines, I recommend Migraleve Pink Tablets. This over-the-counter migraine treatment contains a combination of paracetamol, codeine, and buclizine, effectively alleviating migraine symptoms while also preventing nausea.”
Food poisoning
Dr Grant said: “Next, food poisoning is a common illness experienced throughout summer. Warmer temperatures create the ideal environment for bacteria to grow rapidly, so handling and storing food incorrectly can quickly lead to foodborne illnesses such as salmonella.
“Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal pain. To avoid this illness, maintain cleanliness—washing hands before and after handling food. It’s also important to store and cook food correctly, ensuring it’s refrigerated if necessary and avoiding cross-contamination while preparing food."
Dehydration
An all-too-common condition during the summer season is dehydration, caused by a lack of water, excessive sweating, and illness. As mentioned above, dehydration can lead to much more serious illnesses such as heatstroke and contribute to intense migraines.
Dr Grant said: “Common symptoms include dizziness, increased thirst, a dry mouth, and dark yellow-coloured urine. It’s important to look out for these signs to spot dehydration and avoid worse conditions. To prevent dehydration, stay on top of your water intake, monitor physical activity in warm conditions, and prioritise a balanced diet. Over-the-counter medicines such as Dioralyte Sachets are extremely effective in replacing fluids and electrolytes lost through illness, preventing the risk of dehydration while recovering from a condition."
Norovirus
Dr Grant said: “Lastly, norovirus is present year-round, but the risks can increase during summer through food contamination and increased person-to-person contact. Side effects of this stomach bug include vomiting and diarrhoea. The condition is also highly contagious.
“Luckily, there are several medical treatments available over the counter that can assist with these symptoms. Firstly, Imodium Instant Melts are extremely effective, providing diarrhoea relief in as quickly as an hour. Additionally FyboCalm Diarrhoea Relief Capsules are effective at providing long-term relief."
Dr Grant qualified as a doctor in Bristol in 1985. He has wide clinical experience as a GP in and around Bristol. He has a particular interest in orthopaedic medicine. Don is the senior clinician at The Independent Pharmacy and is responsible for clinically overseeing our online pharmacy service.
