Top 3 Diseases to Watch Out for in Summer

 

Summer can be a time of trouble, whether it's too hot or too cold. Knowing the environmental precautions and preventative measures is crucial for a healthy summer.

 

◆ Be careful when eating food in the summer: 'Food poisoning'

 

The hot and humid summer months provide a favorable environment for bacteria to thrive, increasing the risk of food poisoning, requiring caution. Common summer food poisoning bacteria include pathogenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which are caused by contaminated food and drinking water.

 

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a food poisoning bacterium that exists in seawater and contaminates seafood.

Infection can occur through the consumption of contaminated seafood, as well as through used cooking utensils like knives, cutting boards, and dishtowels. This is precisely why caution is crucial when consuming raw fish and shellfish in the summer. Furthermore, special care must be taken not only with food but also with cooking utensils, and thorough hygiene management is essential.

 

The Seoul Western Branch of the Korea Health Management Association advises, "It's best to avoid eating raw fish, shellfish, and other seafood, and to boil water before drinking, as it can be contaminated." Furthermore, during hot and humid summer weather, avoid storing food at room temperature, and before reheating leftover food, always reheat it thoroughly before consuming.

 

Heatstroke and sunstroke that can occur in hot environments

 

Representative diseases caused by high temperatures in summer include heatstroke and sunstroke.

Heatstroke is an abnormal symptom of the body that occurs when the body is exposed to an excessively high temperature environment for a long time or when working, doing physical labor, or exercising in a hot environment, and the body does not dissipate heat smoothly, resulting in a hyperthermia state.

Heatstroke usually presents with all three of the following symptoms: a core body temperature of 40°C or higher, central nervous system dysfunction, and anhidrosis (lack of sweating). However, anhidrosis may not occur. Heatstroke may be preceded by prodromal symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, and headache.

 

Hospital A advised, "If these symptoms appear, suspect heatstroke and seek immediate medical attention. However, since most cases occur suddenly, prolonged exposure to high temperatures should be avoided."

 

Heatstroke is a condition in which core body temperature rises to between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius (98.5 to 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit) after exposure to high temperatures. Mental function remains normal, distinguishing it from heatstroke. Heatstroke is characterized by normal blood pressure and a rapid pulse, while heatstroke is characterized by low blood pressure and a rapid pulse. Heatstroke often returns to normal after about 30 minutes of rest in a cool environment. Drinking plenty of fluids before exposure to high temperatures and avoiding prolonged exposure to high temperatures can help prevent heatstroke.

 

◆ It's so cold that you get sick! 'Air conditioning sickness'

 

There are heatstroke and sunstroke caused by the heat, but 'air conditioning sickness' caused by excessive air conditioning also occurs frequently in the summer.

Air conditioning sickness, which occurs when excessive air conditioning persists in enclosed spaces during the summer, can cause symptoms such as colds, body aches, and fatigue. It can cause respiratory symptoms similar to colds, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and headache, as well as systemic symptoms, such as swelling in the hands and feet or a feeling of heaviness in the shoulders, arms, and legs.

 

Additionally, women may complain of irregular menstruation or worsening menstrual cramps.

To prevent air conditioning sickness, avoid excessive air conditioning that makes you feel cold. Bring long-sleeved outerwear to protect yourself from direct cold air, and socks are also recommended if your feet feel cold. A department head explained, "Even if you turn on the air conditioning, ventilate the room for at least five minutes every two to four hours, and avoid excessive consumption of cold water or food." He added, "A weakened immune system due to overwork and lack of sleep can make you more susceptible to air conditioning sickness, so it's important to maintain your immune system regularly."

Source: Health Newspaper

 

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As the daytime temperature rises, air conditioning is now being turned on in most places.

Every once in a while, I go to a store and see that many places have their lights turned down too low. Even though it wasn't crowded, the temperature outside was a bit high, but I thought it didn't feel that hot because it had rained recently. Despite this, the air conditioning in the store felt very cold.

I'm worried about the air conditioning wind because it's a bit cold, maybe because of my body temperature, and I'm also suffering from air conditioning sickness. I wonder if it's just me, but I think I need to be careful, so I'm sharing this.