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8 Reasons That Increase Your Fever in the Summer

Although we do not want to think about the disease in the summer months, the incidence of many infectious infections such as food sold outdoors, excessive use of common areas, ticks, and mosquitoes is also increasing. It also comes with a fever. Yeditepe University Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist explains the problems and solutions that increase in summer and show themselves with fever.

• Gastroenteritis

It is one of the most common infections in the summer. These infections, which can be transmitted through food and water, are accompanied by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and some with a high fever. In order to prevent the disease, it is first necessary to avoid unhygienic, well-cooked foods sold outdoors, not to consume unwashed vegetables and fruits, to make sure that the waters are clean and not to use antimicrobial drugs without consulting the physician in any way.

• Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Lyme and Q Fever

These diseases, which are seen with a high fever and transmitted by ticks, are also seen in Türkiye. It is important to take the necessary precautions in wetlands, shrubs, forests, and rural areas where ticks can be found to protect. In addition, it is necessary to consult a physician in order for people who have been in contact with ticks to be evaluated in terms of these diseases that may cause serious consequences.

• Malaria

In recent years, malaria cases in Türkiye are usually caused by people going to foreign countries. Malaria, an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes, is important in terms of causing severe and severe consequences. They emphasize that malaria should not be ignored, especially if people who travel to African and Asian countries and return from there develop a high fever in the summer.

• Legionnaires' Disease

Legionnaires' disease, which is transmitted by air conditioning and shower water and respiratory tract during the summer months, can cause severe pneumonia. Especially in the facilities where the storage water is used, the drainage of water for about 1 minute before the shower, and the maintenance and cleaning of the filters of the air conditioners are among the measures to be taken to protect from the disease. Our specialist, who points out that the results of this infection can be fatal in the elderly and immunocompromised people, states that "For this reason, people who complain of cough and fever in the summer and are especially in the risk group should also be evaluated for legionnaires' disease."

• Zika Virus

This infectious disease, which we have heard of more often in recent years, is transmitted by mosquitoes. The Zika virus infection is currently spreading rapidly in 23 countries, including Central and South America, the Pacific Islands, Tropical Africa, and Southeast Asia. In Türkiye, 4 people who have gone to Cuba on holiday and returned have been diagnosed with the disease. The disease can cause serious developmental delays in the baby's born, especially when it is transmitted to pregnant women. For this reason, it is important that pregnant people are especially careful when traveling to countries and regions where the Zika virus is common and that necessary precautions are taken against mosquitoes.

• West Nile Fever

West Nile Fever, another important infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes, is seen today in France, Romania, Russia, Greece, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Israel, and the Americas. The consequences of this disease, which can develop with sudden high fever, can also be severe. It is vital to take precautions against mosquitoes because there is no cure. In case of fever after mosquito bites, a physician should be consulted for diagnosis and supportive treatment.

• Adenovirus Infections

This infection, which is slightly more common in children in the summer, affects the eyes, respiratory tract, and intestines the most. The disease manifests itself with complaints of redness, cough, fever, and diarrhea in the eye. The disease is transmitted from person to person with respiratory droplets and hands. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent contact with sick people and to consume clean and well-cooked foods. It is also important to wash hands and to maintain and control the pools in the control the disease.

• Extreme Heat Also Increases the Fever

In addition to infections, cancer, collagen tissue, and autoimmune diseases, fever may also increase in the summer months, especially when exposed to extreme heat and the sun. This can have serious and fatal consequences, especially for children and the elderly, he said, adding that "if a heat stroke and excessive sun exposure develops, a medical institution should be consulted immediately when a complaint and high fever develops."

• Do not take antibiotics immediately!

In general, one of the biggest mistakes made by febrile patients seen during infectious diseases is the use of antibiotics without detailed evaluation. Underlining that antibiotics are ineffective in the treatment of viral infections, our specialist states that antibiotics should only be used if the physician deems it appropriate.