Tips for a Healthy Summer

A healthy summer is a fun summer. Knowing how to protect yourself and your family from infectious disease is the first step in making sure your summer can be full of fun and memories.

As the weather starts changing from winter to spring and summer, more people find themselves outside working in their garden, playing outdoor sports like golf, attending sporting events like softball or baseball, camping, and taking vacations to other states or even countries. Spring and summer weather doesn’t just bring opportunity for vacation and outside activities though, as the temperature increases, so does the risk of contracting infectious diseases.

Lake Safety

Warm, sunny days call for time spent at the lake. Whether you’re riding in a boat, participating in water sports, or swimming at the beach, knowing how to protect yourself from infectious disease is important because lake, pond, and ocean water is filled with bacteria that could harm your health. You can protect yourself from infectious disease, harmful bacteria, and dangerous organisms by:

• Not consuming lake, pond, or ocean water.
• Not entering a body of water with an open wound.
• Not allowing lake, pond, or ocean water up your nose.

Protect Against Insect-borne Illness

During the warmer months, insects begin to be more prominent in outdoor spaces. Some of these insects, like ticks or mosquitos, could be carrying germs that lead to infectious diseases like West Nile or Lyme Disease.

It is difficult to tell which insects that you encounter are infected with disease, therefore, it is important to take precautions when working or playing outside. One way to protect against insect-borne disease is to use insect repellant whenever you plan to be outside. It is important that you spray insect repellant on any exposed skin as well as on your clothing to prevent the attraction of bugs to your body.

Travel Tips

Whether traveling in the United States or to other countries, it is important to stay up-to-date on the current happenings of the health world to avoid being exposed to a harmful disease or infection. It is recommended that you research where you are traveling well in advance and consult with your primary doctor about any vaccinations or other medications you may need 4-8 weeks before you leave for your vacation.

For those who have specific medical conditions, like pregnant women, cancer, or diabetes, it is important that you pack enough needed medication for the entire trip as well as enough to account for any extra travel days that may be needed due to delayed flights, extra road time, or layovers to avoid having to find additional medication or medical services from somewhere that is not your normal provider.

Other helpful tips when traveling include:

• Carry and use insect repellant.
• Avoid getting unnecessary shots, immunizations, and tattoos.
• Do not consume ice.
• Only consume bottled drinks.
• Boil tap water before consuming or using.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching animals.

Sources: Afua Ntem-Mensah, MD, cdc.gov, nfid.org, dhhs.ne.gov