Summer time: What illnesses should we look out for?
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The hot season brings its own Aussie traditions such as lazing on the beach, jumping in the pool, a lazy afternoon barbeque — and its own special ailments and illnesses.
"Summer is meant to be the the holiday season for us doctors, but patients certainly keep us very busy," Dr Bastian Seidel, president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners told 702 ABC Sydney.
Here are some of the common summer ailments people should be aware of.
Swimmer's ear
Infection of the ear canal is an increasing occurrence in summer as people head to the beach and pool to cool down.
Swimmer's ear, as it is typically known, occurs when the ear canal becomes inflamed due to moisture which brews fungi and bacteria.
"It's very painful because it's a sensitive area in there," Dr Seidel said.
"Often it goes away just with painkillers, but sometimes it doesn't and that's when patients need to take antibiotic ear drops or antibiotic tablets to get rid of it.
"If it's not much better after three to five days and it's getting worse, or you may get a fever, can't hear properly, then go see a GP."
Dr Siedel said to avoid getting an ear infection, keep your ear canal dry.
Using silicone ear caps or plugs can help, but if they are uncomfortable he advised swimmers to use a paper tissue to dry your ear and make sure all water is drained.
Sun stroke
Sunscreen will help prevent sunburn, but sun stroke can still occur due to dehydration.
Dr Siedel said sun stroke is seen more often in children who may play outside for hours.
"[Kids] don't drink enough, they don't eat enough and they'll get a fever all of a sudden."
Symptoms to look out for in someone with sun stroke include fever, being lethargic, tired, very confused, and dehydrated.
"If they are getting worse and worse by the hour, then you need to call the GP," Dr Siedel said.
Warts and fungal infections
There is natural fungus and bacteria that lives on our skin, but venture into a swimming pool change room or pool deck bare foot and the fungus will have "a competitive advantage".
Tips to avoid infections
- Use antibacterial gels
- Don't share towels
- Wash you hands — especially before eating
- Clean the toilet after use
- Wipe hands and surfaces with alcohol wipes if you are sick.
"If the [fungus] is taking over, then you'll get athlete's foot or swimmer's foot — itchy burning feet and you'll get a rash," Dr Seidel said.
"If that happens you need to treat it appropriately."
To treat fungal infections on the skin, antifungal creams that contain cortisone need to be applied three times a day for two weeks to treat the infection and prevent it coming back.
BBQs and food poisoning
Everyone loves a good barbie, but so does bacteria and viruses such as salmonella, particularly when food is left out in the open or reheated as leftovers.
"You see it every year around summer and Christmas time, when people are eating contaminated food," Dr Seidel said.
"You get a stomach ache, you don't feel well, you will develop diarrhea and you may even get a fever."
The cause of a tummy upset is difficult to diagnose and usually requires a stool sample to test for a bacterial, virus or salmonella infection.
Taking antibiotics will only prolong the diarrhea episode, Dr Seidel said, when the body's natural immune system is adequate to get rid of the bug.
"It may take a week, may take 10 days," Dr Seidel warned.
"Use supportive measures like plenty of fluids, water, painkillers to stop the pain, rather than using antibiotics."
Topics: health, doctors-and-medical-professionals, sydney-2000
