Summer brings more time outdoors, family gatherings, vacations, swimming, and sports activities. It also brings an increase in several common seasonal illnesses.

Some of these summer illnesses can be handled at home with rest and fluids, while others need prompt medical attention. Knowing which is which can save you time, stress, and unnecessary worry.

Illnesses That Become More Common in Summer

While many illnesses occur year-round, several common summer illnesses become more frequent during hot weather.

Food poisoning is one of the most frequent summer health complaints. Bacteria multiply rapidly in warm temperatures, which means food left out at cookouts, picnics, or buffets can become unsafe faster than many people realize. Food poisoning symptoms typically include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sometimes fever. Mild food poisoning symptoms often improve within 24 to 48 hours with rest and hydration.

Stomach viruses, sometimes called the summer stomach bug, can spread quickly in settings like pools, water parks, and large gatherings. Unlike food poisoning, a stomach virus is caused by a pathogen that passes from person to person. Common stomach bug symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sometimes a mild fever.

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal caused by water that stays trapped in the ear after swimming. It tends to cause pain, itching, and sometimes discharge. Unlike a middle ear infection, swimmer’s ear affects the outer ear canal and is typically treated with prescription ear drops.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) also tend to spike in summer. Heat, dehydration, sweating, and changes in routine can all contribute to UTIs during summer. Symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating, frequent urges to go, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and sometimes lower abdominal discomfort.

Heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion, are more common during hot stretches of weather. These are covered in detail in their own section of our blog series, but they are worth listing here as a reminder that heat itself can make you genuinely ill.

What You Can Treat at Home

Mild food poisoning or a stomach virus, when symptoms are manageable and the person is staying hydrated, can often be handled at home. Rest, small sips of clear fluids, and bland foods like crackers, toast, or rice are the standard approach. Over-the-counter remedies may help with discomfort, but check with a provider before giving them to children.

Mild swimmer’s ear with minimal pain can sometimes be managed with over-the-counter swimmer’s ear treatment in the form of ear drops, though a provider evaluation is the safest approach.

When to Go to Urgent Care for Summer Illnesses

Seek urgent care when symptoms are more severe or are not improving as expected. For food poisoning or stomach illnesses, warning signs include vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours, signs of dehydration such as no urination or extreme dryness, high fever, blood in vomit or stool, or symptoms in someone who is very young, elderly, or has a compromised immune system.

For swimmer’s ear, see a primary care clinic if pain is significant or worsening, if there is visible swelling or discharge, or if hearing seems muffled. Prescription ear drops are typically needed for proper treatment.

For UTIs, it is always a good idea to get evaluated rather than waiting, especially if symptoms are accompanied by fever, back pain, or chills, which can suggest the infection has spread to the kidneys.

Summer Illness Prevention Tips

Some quick advice:

• Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot at outdoor events
• Don’t leave perishable items out for more than one hour when temperatures are above 90 degrees
• Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the restroom
• Dry ears thoroughly after swimming by tilting the head to each side to let water drain
• Stay well hydrated to help prevent UTIs and support overall immune function

Be sure to explore our summer health and safety tips guide for more tips on staying healthy, hydrated, and safe all season long.

MainStreet Family Care is open 7 days a week! Register online to save your spot in line. Online registration is not an appointment.