With warming weather, winter illnesses may drop off, but spring and summer bring their own health risks. Warm-weather illnesses like hay fever (seasonal allergies), asthma, rhinovirus, pink eye, and Lyme disease spike in the spring and summer months, but you can protect yourself from the respiratory issues and bacterial infections that can cause uncomfortable symptoms and even send you to the urgent care or ER.
Read on to find out more about staying healthy, diagnosing symptoms, and how Sollis Health can make treatment of spring and summer illnesses fast, convenient, and comfortable—while keeping you out of the ER 99% of the time.
Hay fever
As any of the 1 in 5 people who get hay fever in their lifetime can tell you, “hay fever” is actually an allergic reaction to allergens like airborne mold spores; pollen from trees, grass, and weeds; pet hair and dander; dust mites; or even environmental irritants like cigarette smoke and diesel exhaust.
Common symptoms of hay fever include
-
-
A runny nose
-
Itchy, red, or watery eyes
-
Congestion, coughing, sneezing, and sinus pressure
-
Fatigue
-
How to reduce your exposure to allergens
-
-
Avoid pollen: Stay indoors when pollen counts are highest—between 5 and 10 am. This is especially the case on hot, dry, windy days.
-
Filter the air: Run air conditioning to keep pollens outdoors, invest in HEPA air filters, and keep pets out of your bedroom (or even outside).
-
Travel smart: Research your destination to find out how allergies affect the locals. When you arrive, run your air conditioning in your room to keep pollen levels down inside.
-
Keep clean: Close your bedroom windows, use zippered covers for your pillow and mattress, and wash your bed clothes regularly. Avoid carpeted floors and ceiling fans when possible. Take a shower and change your clothes before going to bed.
-
For kids: Plan outdoor play closer to the evening and have them wear tight-fitting sunglasses to protect their eyes from pollen.
-
What to do if you have hay fever symptoms
If you do experience hay fever symptoms, rinse your sinuses or try an over-the-counter remedy like an oral antihistamine or corticosteroid nasal spray.
If you’re a Sollis member, you have even more options. If you’re struggling with allergies, Sollis can support you in the short- and long-term, whether it’s managing symptoms, getting diagnosed, seeking treatment like immunotherapy or finding a top specialist, or receiving ER-level care for allergic reactions. Call our medical hotline or visit your nearest Sollis center for a same-day appointment with little-to-no wait.
Asthma
Asthma—a condition that makes your airways narrow and complicates breathing—often gets worse in the summer thanks to the heat and humidity. Like hay fever, asthma also has environmental triggers, like pollen, thunderstorms, increased outdoor exercise, chlorine in pools, campfires, and stagnant air, which traps dust, mold, and other pollutants.
Common symptoms of asthma attacks include:
Coughing
Wheezing
Tightness in the chest
Shortness of breath
How to minimize your risk of an asthma attack:
Steer clear: Stay inside as much as you can on hot and humid days. Monitor the allergy forecast and local air quality index daily.
Clear the air: Keep your windows closed and use a dehumidifier and air conditioning with HEPA filters.
Keep clean: Shower after outdoor activities to wash off any pollen on your skin or hair.
Stay hydrated: It supports a healthy immune system and helps keep your airways moist, which helps them filter out irritants.
Take your meds: Keep your inhaler with you at all times and don’t skip any doses of your daily asthma medications. (If you’re going on a trip, Sollis Health can help with any last-minute refills if your PCP is unavailable.
How Sollis can help with asthma
If you’re taking 30 or more breaths per minute, having difficulty walking or talking at a typical pace, or your lips or nails are turning blue, the American Lung Association recommends seeking immediate medical attention. Not sure if your asthma attack is a medical emergency? Sollis members can always call our hotline for help in minutes. If you do need urgent care, your nearest Sollis center will see you without delay.
Rhinovirus
According to the CDC, rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of the common cold. While most rhinovirus infections are mild, some can cause severe illness, especially if you have a weakened immune system, asthma, or another underlying medical condition.
Common symptoms of rhinovirus include
-
-
Runny nose or nasal congestion
-
Cough
-
Sneezing
-
Sore throat
-
Headache
-
Mild body aches
-
Fever
-
More severe symptoms of rhinovirus include
-
-
Asthma attack and reactive airway disease (wheezing, difficulty breathing)
-
Middle ear infections (infection behind the ear drum)
-
Sinus infections
-
Bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways)
-
Bronchitis (infection of the large airways)
-
Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
-
How to minimize your risk of contracting rhinovirus
Like COVID-19 and RSV, rhinovirus is a respiratory virus, which means it infects the respiratory system, causing illnesses that can affect the nose, throat, and lungs. You’re probably already familiar with the best ways to help prevent the spread of rhinovirus, which include:
-
-
Wearing a mask
-
Washing your hands regularly with soap and water
-
Staying home when you feel sick
-
Seeking treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness, which include those with untreated asthma, the lung condition COPD, or with impaired immunity
-
What to do if you have rhinovirus symptoms
There is no specific treatment for rhinovirus, but you can ease symptoms by taking over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or decongestants. You should also rest and drink plenty of fluids.
If your symptoms last longer than 10 days or get a lot worse—especially difficulty breathing—you should seek medical attention. If your child younger than 3 months of age has rhinovirus symptoms and has a high temperature or is less responsive, talk to your pediatrician right away.
How Sollis can help with rhinovirus
Sollis members can access our in-house labs like SPOTFIRE®, which can diagnose respiratory illnesses like rhinovirus in as few as 15 minutes. Our rapid diagnostics make it easy for our medical teams to rule out other illnesses and start making you comfortable if you do indeed have rhinovirus.
Pink eye
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions. Pink eye, which can occur in one or both eyes, can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and allergens. While anyone can get this very contagious condition, newborns with symptoms of pink eye should be seen by a doctor right away.
Common symptoms of pink eye include
-
-
Pink or red color in the white of the eye
-
Swelling of the eyelids or thin layer that lines the white of the eye
-
Watery, teary eyes
-
Feeling like something is in the eye or an urge to rub the eye
-
Itchiness, irritation, and burning of the eye
-
Discharge (pus or mucus)
-
How to minimize your risk of contracting pink eye
There’s no vaccine for pink eye, but you can avoid getting it and spreading it with a few easy steps.
To avoid pink eye
-
-
Keep clean: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
-
Protect your eyes. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes with your fingers. Use and clean eyeglasses and contact lenses properly
-
Don’t forget your laundry: Wash pillowcases, sheets, washcloths, and towels often with hot water and detergent.
-
What to do if you have pink eye symptoms
Use over-the-counter cold compresses and artificial tears to help relieve inflammation and dryness.
Stop wearing contact lenses until your eye doctor says it’s okay to start wearing them again. If you did not see a doctor, don’t wear your contacts until you no longer have pink eye symptoms. To prevent it from spreading, wash your hands before and after cleaning your eyes or applying eye drops to the infected eyes. Don’t use the same eye-drop bottle for infected and non-infected eyes, and don’t share personal items like your pillows, washcloths, makeup brushes, or other things that may have come into contact with the infected eye.
While pink eye is usually not serious, see a healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms
-
-
Eye pain
-
Light sensitivity
-
Blurred vision that does not improve when discharge is wiped from the eyes
-
Intense eye redness
-
Symptoms that get worse or do not improve
-
If you have bacterial pink eye that doesn’t improve after 24 hours of antibiotic use
-
A weakened immune system
-
How Sollis can help with pink eye
Whether you need diagnosis or treatment of pink eye symptoms, Sollis is here for members with 24/7 virtual care, unlimited same-day visits, and even house calls.
Pink eye is especially common in children. Sollis offers family memberships that are designed to support parents and children when their PCP isn’t available, with on-demand support at home, at school, and while traveling.
Lyme disease
Spending time in the great outdoors is the best part of spring and summer, but in many parts of the continental United States—especially in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest regions—avoiding ticks should be a health priority.
Blacklegged (or deer) ticks can carry Lyme disease, which is one of the more severe tick-borne illnesses. This bacterial infection can affect people of any age. If left untreated, infection can cause more serious symptoms like arthritis, facial paralysis, severe headaches with neck stiffness, and heart palpitations.
Common symptoms of Lyme disease include
-
Headaches
-
Low-grade fever and chills
-
Stiff neck
-
Fatigue
-
Muscle and joint aches and pains
-
Poor appetite
-
Swollen glands
-
Tingling or numbness in arms and legs
-
Facial paralysis
-
Difficulty concentrating
-
Sleep disturbances
How to minimize your risk of contracting Lyme disease
The best defense against Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. The tick season ranges from March to November and your exposure risk increases when you spend time in grassy or wooded areas.
When you’re spending time outside in a place with tick risk, there are several steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of tick bites.
-
Regular tick checks can help reduce the chance that ticks latch on to your skin. Perform tick checks during your time outdoors and afterward. Check all exposed skin and clothing and run your fingers over your scalp to find any ticks that may be hiding in your hair.
-
Avoid ticks by staying on clear, well-traveled trails. Stay out of high grass.
-
Dress for protection with light-colored long-sleeve shirts and pants, high socks, and boots or shoes (rather than sandals or going barefoot). This makes ticks easier to spot and prevents them from getting onto your skin.
-
Use tick repellent. Spray your clothes, shoes, and camping gear with 0.5% permethrin, which lasts for several washings. You can also buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
What to do if you have symptoms of Lyme disease
If you notice early signs of Lyme disease, receiving treatment right away improves your chances of curing the illness. See a medical professional immediately if you start experiencing the above symptoms and you’ve spent time in areas with a high tick population.
If you’re diagnosed, you may be prescribed antibiotics to treat the bacteria, preventing worsening of the disease and reducing symptoms. Antibiotic treatment may be oral or intravenous, depending on the severity.
How Sollis can help with Lyme disease
At Sollis Health, we understand how essential immediate care is, especially when it comes to Lyme disease, when time is of the essence. With our on-demand concierge medical services, Sollis is always available to provide tick removal, Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment, and emergency care following a tick bite.
