Although the summer season is remembered for rest, travel, beaches, and outdoor walks, the hot months can create favorable conditions for the spread of some viral infections. The reason is not only the high temperature. Spending more time outdoors, using pools and beaches, improper food storage, dirty water, and an increase in mosquitoes raise the likelihood of infection.
Experts especially recommend that children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and those with weakened immune systems be more cautious.
The danger of enterovirus increases in summer
Enteroviruses are one of the virus groups that spread more during the warm months and early autumn. These viruses are mainly transmitted through dirty hands, contaminated surfaces, water, food, and close contact with an infected person. Although more common among children, adults can also become infected.
Enterovirus infection can manifest with fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough, fatigue, muscle aches, sores inside the mouth, and rashes on hands and feet. In most cases, the disease is mild. However, some types can cause difficulty breathing, pneumonia, meningitis, and other complications.
Washing hands with soap, cleaning toys and frequently touched surfaces, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals reduce the risk of infection.
Norovirus can make a family sick in a short time
Norovirus is one of the highly contagious viruses. It causes sudden onset vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and fatigue. The virus can spread through contaminated water, infected food, dishes, dirty surfaces, and direct contact with a sick person.
Especially in summer camps, hotels, recreational centers, picnics, and crowded places, infection of one person can lead to many cases of illness in a short time. Although most people infected with norovirus recover within one to three days, dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea can be dangerous for infants, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases.
To protect against norovirus, it is important to wash hands well not only with disinfectant but also with soap and water, clean fruits and vegetables, and avoid meals prepared by sick persons.
Dirty pools can spread adenovirus
Extensive use of pools in summer also increases the risk of adenovirus infections. Especially, pools with improperly regulated chlorine levels can cause cases of adenovirus-related eye inflammation. The disease can be accompanied by redness, tearing, burning, light sensitivity in the eyes, sore throat, and fever.
It is recommended that people with redness and discharge in their eyes avoid swimming pools, and do not share personal items like towels and glasses. Touching eyes without washing hands increases the risk of infection.
West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes
The increase in mosquitoes during hot weather raises the issue of West Nile virus danger. The virus is mainly transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most infected individuals show no symptoms. However, some people may experience fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and rashes.
In rare cases, the virus can affect the nervous system, causing inflammation of the brain and meninges. Currently, there is no approved specific vaccine or preventive medicine for West Nile virus for humans. The main way to protect is to prevent mosquito bites.
It is advisable to be cautious outdoors at evening and dawn hours, wear long-sleeved clothing, use mosquito repellents, and empty containers that collect water at home.
Hepatitis A can be transmitted through dirty water and food
Hepatitis A is a viral inflammation of the liver. The virus spreads through contaminated water, inadequately washed food, and close contact with an infected person. Fever, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin and eyes are among the main symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization, safe water, hygiene, proper food preparation, and vaccination are the main ways to protect against the disease.
Do not ignore these symptoms
If high fever, persistent vomiting, bloody diarrhea, severe headache, neck stiffness, shortness of breath, confusion, seizures, and signs of dehydration occur, one should immediately consult a doctor. In children, dry mouth, lack of tears, decreased urination, and excessive sleepiness are serious warning signs.
Taking antibiotics on one's own in viral infections is inappropriate. Antibiotics do not affect viruses and should only be used when a bacterial infection is diagnosed by a doctor./milli.az