Buzz
1. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) typically occurs from March to May each year. During the summer, high humidity and favorable temperatures facilitate the rapid development of two common viruses - Coxsackie virus A16 and Enterovirus 71 (EV71), leading to skin and mucous membrane damage resembling water blisters around the mouth, palms, soles, knees, etc. Initial symptoms include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, sore throat, cough, abdominal pain, red rash on the skin,... Especially, skin rash appears first within 1-2 days of illness, later turning into fluid-filled blisters that are painless for about 10 days. Vigilant observation of skin changes is crucial for appropriate preventive measures. Without timely detection, the disease can lead to severe complications such as meningitis, myocarditis, acute pulmonary edema, resulting in fatalities. Treatment: Currently, there is no specific vaccine or cure. Over-the-counter medications for fever reduction and pain relief can be used. Topical ointments like silver sulfadiazine cream for wound healing and maintaining cleanliness with soap to prevent transmission are recommended. Adequate hydration, warm baths, and other supportive measures are advised.
2. Measles
Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease that can quickly spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, shared towels, phones, brushes, and door handles. Cause: Caused by an RNA virus belonging to the Morbillivirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family. The measles virus is rapidly inactivated by heat, light, acidic pH, ether, and trypsin. It has a short lifespan (<2 hours) in the air or on objects and surfaces. Symptoms: Fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, headache, increased tearing and runny nose, followed by a widespread rash over the body or on specific parts in the late stage of the disease. Without timely treatment, it can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, otitis media, conjunctivitis, encephalitis, myocarditis, etc. Treatment: Measles vaccination, paracetamol (acetaminophen) for fever reduction, adequate fluid intake, and electrolyte replacement by drinking plenty of water, oral rehydration solutions, and supplementing with fruits or vitamin C to boost immunity.
3. Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese Encephalitis first appeared in Japan, caused by a virus that damages the central nervous system with severe inflammation of the brain and meninges. This disease emerged in Vietnam in 1952 and has a relatively rapid transmission rate through mosquito bites—particularly the Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito. The disease mainly occurs in summer (typically from April to October, the rainy season in the North, peaking in June and July). The incubation period is usually 5 to 15 days, followed by high fever (38 to 40 degrees Celsius), accompanied by headaches, neck stiffness, vomiting, constipation, and more dangerously, seizures, natural spasms in fingers, tongue, eyes, or the entire body, paralysis,... Preventive measures: Currently, there is no cure, but vaccination can be administered to prevent the disease. Control measures include managing Culex mosquito populations, controlling virus-carrying animals (especially birds and domestic pigs), maintaining environmental hygiene, planning and improving residential areas, and livestock farms.
4. Dengue Fever
In the summer, high humidity is ideal for mosquitoes to thrive, carrying disease-causing viruses and rapidly spreading to healthy individuals—one of the very fast transmission routes for dengue fever.Causes of the Disease: Dengue fever is a contagious disease caused by a type of virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family, transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person by a mosquito called the Aedes mosquito.Symptoms of the Disease: After infection and virus attack, the body will experience sudden high fever (38–39 degrees Celsius), signs of bleeding under the skin, bleeding gums, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, fatigue, eye pain, and more. If not treated promptly, it can be extremely dangerous with a high risk of death.Treatment: As there is no cure, vaccination against dengue fever is essential and must be carried out fully and correctly. Additionally, we must keep our living area clean, eliminate stagnant water to prevent mosquito breeding; tightly cover water containers, release fish for mosquito control, use bed nets, check nets carefully before sleeping to prevent mosquitoes from entering, use curtains, and more to minimize the risk of mosquito bites.
5. Chickenpox
Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster virus that usually appears 10 to 14 days after exposure to the source of the disease.Symptoms of the Disease: When the disease first occurs, water-like blisters, similar to burns, will appear. The blisters appear rapidly within 12-24 hours and occur in the facial, hand, and foot areas, or can also appear throughout the body. Afterward, there will be mild fever symptoms, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, and nausea. The disease can spread rapidly through respiratory droplets, contact with clothing, sharing personal items, etc.Prevention and Treatment: The disease does not have many dangerous complications, and the recovery time is relatively fast, so you can be somewhat reassured. Vaccination is the best prevention for this disease. In addition, you can use methylene blue to dab on the chickenpox spot, avoid water, avoid wind, take fever-reducing medicine, replenish fluids, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
6. Gastrointestinal Disease
In the summer, bacteria causing diseases find favorable conditions to thrive, existing everywhere, waiting for an opportunity to attack humans. The hot weather causes the food you eat every day to spoil quickly, becoming more susceptible to contamination. Sometimes, we may not pay attention, and as a result, we end up consuming contaminated or spoiled food.Symptoms of the Disease: Severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, high fever, dehydration,...Treatment: When experiencing abdominal pain and frequent bowel movements, you should immediately take berberine to partially prevent excessive diarrhea, drink ozeron to replenish fluids, take fever-reducing medication, and visit the nearest healthcare facility for a comprehensive examination.Prevention: Food should be stored in trays in the refrigerator to minimize the infiltration of harmful bacteria, wash hands and feet thoroughly before eating,...
7. Myositis
In the summer, using air conditioning while sleeping is always a top priority in every household and is also one of the causes of myositis. Myositis is a common disease that causes inflammation in one or more muscles, making the patient weak and experiencing body aches. The disease not only occurs in office workers who sit at the computer for extended periods but also affects those who sleep excessively and sit for long periods near air conditioning.
Symptoms of the Disease: Gradual muscle weakness, such as muscles in the hip, thigh, shoulder blade, arm, waist, neck, symmetric pain on both sides, feeling no strength, difficulty moving, and increasing fatigue.Treatment: Rest to allow the muscles to recover, use massage therapy, apply heat to the muscles, take medication, or use physical therapy to gradually restore the muscles to their normal state.
Symptoms of the Disease: Gradual muscle weakness, such as muscles in the hip, thigh, shoulder blade, arm, waist, neck, symmetric pain on both sides, feeling no strength, difficulty moving, and increasing fatigue.Treatment: Rest to allow the muscles to recover, use massage therapy, apply heat to the muscles, take medication, or use physical therapy to gradually restore the muscles to their normal state.
8. Hyperthyroidism
The scorching heat of summer with sunlight everywhere can be a cause of hyperthyroidism.Symptoms of the Disease: Rapid heart rate (over 100 beats/minute), tension, anxiety, prolonged fatigue, excessive sweating, increased sensitivity to heat, muscle weakness, reduced physical activity, thin skin, and easily breakable hair..Prevention and Treatment: Limit exposure to intense sunlight, wear a mask, and sun-protective clothing before leaving the house. In severe cases of hyperthyroidism, surgical removal of the thyroid gland or radiation therapy may be necessary.
9. Pharyngitis and Laryngitis
During the summer, contracting pharyngitis and laryngitis is understandable and hard to avoid. To reduce the intense heat, we often indulge in ice cream, drink cold water, and consume chilled beverages frequently, which is the main cause of throat inflammation. This condition makes the throat sore, changes the voice, and causes phlegm in the throat...
Prevention and Treatment: When afflicted with pharyngitis, consult a doctor to quickly alleviate the pain. Additionally, limit consumption of cold foods, gargle with honey-soaked peach blossom, drink alkaline water beneficial for the throat, such as mineral water, and let green tea cool before consumption. Avoid adding too much ice,...
Prevention and Treatment: When afflicted with pharyngitis, consult a doctor to quickly alleviate the pain. Additionally, limit consumption of cold foods, gargle with honey-soaked peach blossom, drink alkaline water beneficial for the throat, such as mineral water, and let green tea cool before consumption. Avoid adding too much ice,...
10. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctiva is a delicate mucous membrane directly exposed to environmental factors, making it susceptible to damage. Particularly in summer, ultraviolet rays significantly impact the conjunctiva, leading to inflammation. Additionally, conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. The disease can spread from person to person through eye secretions, saliva, shared household items, etc.Symptoms: Itchy, swollen eyes, sensitivity to light, watery eyes, redness, excessive eye discharge, making it difficult to open eyes upon waking up.Preventive measures: Wear sunglasses before going out to avoid light and dust, use eye drops to remove toxins from the eyes, isolate sick individuals from healthy ones, ...
11. Cardiovascular Disease
Summer is the nemesis of cardiovascular disease. As temperatures rise, the heart becomes less efficient, with the most serious symptoms being heart failure and coronary artery disease.Causes of the disease: Summer weather causes the body to sweat more and urinate more, leading to dehydration, which can result in kidney failure. If water is not replenished in a timely manner, blood clotting may occur, leading to blocked blood vessels, causing the heart to work more than usual and disrupting the heartbeat.Preventive measures: Limit outdoor work in the sun, wear a hat, mask, and sun-protective clothing when going out, drink plenty of water, and consult a doctor for accurate health advice.
12. Dermatitis
The hot summer weather causes the body to lose water, leading to dry skin. Sweating combined with environmental dirt can clog pores, causing pimples on the chest, back, and face; folliculitis and itching,... UV rays from sunlight can thin the skin, damage the epidermis, causing skin darkening and peeling, which is also one of the causes of pigmentation. Although these conditions are often not dangerous, they can affect confidence and hinder social interactions. Treatment: Regular bathing, keeping the body clean, drinking plenty of water, consuming cool foods like sago soup, purslane, wearing sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, and masks when going out; purchasing topical acne medications; taking antibiotics when there are severe signs of inflammation.
13. Stroke
Summer increases the risk of strokes due to elevated blood pressure and rapid heart rate caused by excessively hot weather. High temperatures can lead to increased blood pressure, posing a risk of stroke. Symptoms: headache, dizziness, feeling overheated. When these signs occur, it is essential to promptly take the patient to the hospital or the nearest healthcare facility to prevent the risk of excessively high blood pressure. Without timely treatment, it may lead to complications such as cerebral vascular accidents, and in severe cases, death. Patients with high blood pressure symptoms should regularly provide adequate water to the body, limit excessive outdoor activities to reduce the risk of developing the disease.
