Doctor says 'know early signs' of common summer illnesses (2025)

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.

Doctor says 'know early signs' of common summer illnesses (2025)

FAQs

What is a common sickness in the summer? ›

High temperatures and humidity can lead to heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke and dehydration. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, avoid excessive physical exertion in the heat, and seek shade or air-conditioned spaces to prevent heat-related illnesses. Read More: Who is at Risk for Heatstroke?

What are the symptoms of summer season? ›

Heat exhaustion, headache, dizziness, weakness, and hyperthermia are commonly seen in summer season. Getting adequate hydration and a limited exposure to sun should be tried as far as possible.

Why are kids getting sick in summer? ›

“When you talk about summer colds, you're probably talking about a non-polio enterovirus infection.” Enteroviruses can infect the tissues in your nose and throat, eyes, digestive system and elsewhere. A few enteroviruses can cause polio, but vaccines have mostly eliminated these viruses from Western countries.

What is summer infection? ›

Common Summer Infections Have Distinct Symptoms

Ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis, enterovirus, and West Nile virus share flu-like symptoms such as head and muscle aches, chills, and fever — typically mild in otherwise healthy people.

What sickness can you catch in the summer? ›

Watch out for these common summer illnesses:
  • Sunstroke, aka heatstroke. To keep it simple, this condition is a product of too much time in the sun. ...
  • Insects. Insects are awake and back in full force during the summer months. ...
  • Food Poisoning. Nothing screams summer like a family picnic or BBQ. ...
  • Swimmer's ear. ...
  • Enterovirus.

Why do I get sick at the start of summer? ›

Enteroviruses are more likely to blame for your summer cold. Like rhinoviruses, enteroviruses affect your nose and throat, causing upper respiratory symptoms. But enteroviruses are more likely than rhinoviruses to also affect your digestive system.

What are the symptoms of a summer virus? ›

Understanding the symptoms
  • Runny nose.
  • Sore throat.
  • Coughing.
  • Sneezing.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Fever.

Can summer make you feel sick? ›

Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps and others. Treatment includes removal from the heat, rest and fluids. Untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, which can be a life-threatening condition.

How long does summer flu last? ›

Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days. For people who've had a flu shot, the symptoms may last a shorter amount of time, or be less severe.

Why are kids getting sick all of a sudden? ›

That's because kids are exposed to a lot of viruses and bacteria—often for the very first time—which makes them vulnerable to catching everything. It's normal for young kids to have quite a few colds, ear infections, or gastrointestinal upsets in a single year. "Children have an immature immune system," says David W.

Is it easy to get sick in summer? ›

Summer colds are common, though less so than winter colds, because cold viruses spread more easily when people are packed into enclosed spaces. Also, cold viruses spread more easily in cold, dry air.

Can kids get sick from weather? ›

Changes in the weather can bring in circumstances that encourage viruses, like dry air or groups of people gathering together indoors. Those changes in the environment and in human behavior can lead to higher levels of contagion. It's not that the weather causes illness. Viruses do that.

What is summer bronchitis? ›

Some bacterial infections remain active through spring to summers, exposure to which may cause bronchitis as well. Also, long-term exposure to substances such as dust and fumes, vapors, air pollution, and tobacco smoke that irritate the lungs can also cause bronchitis during summers.

What is summer cholera? ›

Cholera morbus refers to acute GASTROENTERITIS occurring in summer or autumn; characterized by severe cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. [

What is summer fungus? ›

Turfgrass Diseases: Summer patch (Causal fungus: Magnaporthiopsis poae) Summer patch, sometimes called Poa patch, is a root and crown disease of golf course turf, home lawns, grounds, and athletic fields.

What flu can you get in the summer? ›

Some of these viruses, like Enterovirus, are especially common in the summer, while others tend to circulate all year. Parainfluenza is a virus that causes an influenza-like illness (para means “like”). One subtype (human parainfluenza type 3) is especially common in the spring and early summer months.

What chronic illness is worse in the summer? ›

People with chronic health conditions may have greater heat vulnerability because they have more factors affecting their body's ability to regulate temperature, such as taking prescription medicines that affect the body's ability to control its temperature or sweat.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 5805

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.