Summer is hot and rainy. Both heat and dampness can harm people and cause illness, so disease prevention must be emphasized.

　　First, don't ignore colds.

　　Generally, colds are more prevalent in the cold winter and spring seasons, but people cannot let their guard down in summer. Due to the high summer temperatures, people sweat a lot, and their physical exertion is greater. Coupled with long days and short nights, insufficient sleep, cold water bathing, and using electric fans, people can still catch colds. In addition, sleeping outdoors in gardens, lawns, balconies, streets, and alleys, excessive consumption of cold drinks, exposure to drafts, or sleeping under a fan for too long can also easily lead to colds.

　　Summer colds, known as "heat-stroke colds" in traditional Chinese medicine, are characterized by runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and even fever, accompanied by profuse sweating. Some people also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This type of cold often does not recover quickly, especially in the elderly and children, and is easily transformed into other illnesses. Therefore, cold prevention is crucial in summer.

　　During cold outbreaks, the elderly and children should avoid excessive visits or going to public places to reduce the chance of infection. Since colds are transmitted not only through the respiratory tract but also through hand contact, hand hygiene should be emphasized, and shaking hands with people who have colds should be avoided. In summer, excessive physical exertion should also be avoided, and sufficient sleep is necessary; clothing should be adjusted according to the temperature, and one should not sleep outdoors to avoid catching a cold; people with chronic rhinitis and pharyngitis are prone to colds and should seek treatment. Avoid staying out late at night, and do not sit in damp places; avoid viral infection of the throat, and pay attention to work-rest balance; dry your body after cold showers or swimming; avoid eating too much watermelon, popsicles, etc.

　　Summer colds are treated according to summer-heat injury in traditional Chinese medicine. Due to different causes and symptoms, they are divided into yin summer-heat and yang summer-heat, with yin summer-heat being the most common. This is because "oppressive heat can be avoided, so fewer people are affected; however, insidious cold is difficult to detect, leading to more people being affected." The treatment of yin summer-heat symptoms should use the method of warming and dispelling the exterior. The following can be taken: 9 grams of Schizonepeta tenuifolia, 9 grams of Perilla frutescens, 9 grams of Peucedanum praeruptorum, 3 grams of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, 4.5 grams of Agastache rugosa, 9 grams of Agastache rugosa, 3 slices of ginger, decocted in water. If accompanied by vomiting, add Poria cocos, Pinellia ternata; if accompanied by diarrhea, add Magnolia officinalis and Aucklandia lappa.

　　Second, beware of summer debility.

　　In the summer, some people experience chest tightness, poor appetite, weakness, lethargy, loose stools, slight fever and drowsiness, excessive sweating, and gradual weight loss. If they go to the hospital for examination, no organic lesions are found. These symptoms naturally disappear when the weather turns cool in autumn. This is what people often call summer debility.

　　Summer debility, also known as suffering from summer, is a common condition in summer. The main reason is that some people have a lower adaptability to climate change and cannot adapt well to the hot and humid summer climate. At this time, the brain and nervous system are inhibited, the function of the heart and lungs is reduced, the digestive juices secreted by the gastrointestinal tract are reduced, food cannot be digested and absorbed well, leading to nutrient deficiency and the above-mentioned series of symptoms. The treatment method for this disease mainly focuses on aromatizing the spleen, removing dampness, reducing food intake, eating a light diet, and avoiding greasy food to strengthen the spleen and stomach. People with weak constitutions who are prone to summer debility can take some lung-tonifying, spleen-tonifying, and qi-tonifying products in autumn and winter. For those who already have summer debility, traditional Chinese medicine includes "Ru Xiang Zheng Qi Shui," "Ru Xiang Zheng Qi Wan," "Liu Yi San," and "Qu Shu Wan," all of which are effective. In addition, drinking a decoction of 10 grams each of fresh Agastache rugosa and Eupatorium fortunei, 30 grams each of talc and roasted barley, and 3 grams of Glycyrrhiza uralensis daily has a certain effect.

　　Third, prevention and treatment of heatstroke.

　　Heatstroke, commonly known as "fa sha" (a Chinese term for heatstroke), is an easily occurring disease in the hot summer. Under normal circumstances, the human body's heat production and dissipation are equal, so the body temperature is always maintained at around 37 degrees Celsius. However, prolonged exposure to strong summer sunlight, infrared rays can cause the brain to lose its ability to regulate body temperature, making heatstroke more likely. In addition, if the ambient temperature is high, the humidity is high, there is no wind, sweat evaporation is difficult, and excessive heat accumulates in the body, heatstroke is also more likely. Of course, if excessive sweating leads to a large loss of water and salt from the body, and these are not replenished in time, water and electrolyte metabolism is disrupted, which can also cause heatstroke. Excessive physical fatigue and underlying diseases are also causes of heatstroke.

　　Based on the above analysis, the following preventive measures for heatstroke can be formulated: First, arrange time reasonably, start work early, finish work late, rest more at noon, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and avoid working, laboring, or studying in stuffy environments. When working outdoors, it is best to wear light-colored or white clothes, wear a straw hat, and rest in the shade or under a shed after working for a while. Pay attention to drinking plenty of cool drinks, cool salt water, mung bean soup, etc., or taking some Ren Dan or Shi Di Shui, which can also have a preventive effect. Take a bath or wipe your body every day to keep your skin clean and sweat glands unobstructed. Special care should be given to the elderly, the weak, women, and children, and arrangements should be made according to their physical condition and weather conditions.

　　Clinically, heatstroke has very different symptoms depending on the cause and can be divided into the following four types:

　　First, heatstroke hyperthermia, also called heatstroke, is mainly caused by the inability to dissipate body heat and is the most serious type of heatstroke. It can be accompanied by headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, high body temperature (up to 42°C), blurred consciousness, drowsiness, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, coma and hypotension.

　　Second, heatstroke exhaustion, also called heat exhaustion, is mainly caused by excessive sweating and can be accompanied by headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, normal body temperature, pale complexion, profuse sweating, shallow breathing, weak pulse, hypotension, and unclear consciousness.

　　Third, heatstroke cramps, also called heat cramps, are mainly caused by overheating and excessive sweating, resulting in excessive loss of sodium chloride and muscle cramps, often occurring simultaneously with heat exhaustion. Symptoms include thirst, fatigue, normal body temperature, profuse sweating, and prominent muscle cramps in the limbs with cramping pain.

　　Fourth, sunstroke is caused by direct sunlight on the head, resulting in brain damage. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Severe cases can lead to coma and increased body temperature.

　　Regardless of the type, if you experience dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, etc., you should stop work immediately, move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, apply a cold compress to your head or wipe your body with cold water, drink plenty of light salt water or cool drinks, and take person Dan or ten drops of water, etc.

　　Those with high fever can be given physical cooling, using cold water or ice packs for cold compresses, alcohol wipes, and fan blowing; antipyretic drugs can be taken orally or intramuscularly; those with respiratory difficulties can be given artificial respiration. If the condition improves after treatment but blood pressure drops, emergency rescue should be sent to the hospital.

　　For heat exhaustion and heat cramps: the main treatment is to replenish water and sodium chloride. For severe cases, intravenous infusion of physiological saline or glucose saline is given; if the condition does not improve, send to the hospital immediately.

　　Fourthly, the prevention and treatment of tinea versicolor.

　　In summer, some people develop patches of depigmentation of varying sizes on their bodies, often with fine desquamation and itching, which is more obvious after sweating. People often mistake this for sweat stains, commonly known as "sweat-soaked", but it is actually a chronic mild infection of the superficial stratum corneum of the skin caused by fungi, medically known as tinea versicolor. Its skin lesions are characterized by scattered or confluent hypopigmented or hyperpigmented areas with bran-like scales, commonly occurring on the chest, abdomen, upper arms, and back, sometimes also affecting the face, neck, and other parts. Because this fungus likes to grow and reproduce in a humid and hot environment, it is more likely to occur in summer. It is somewhat contagious and difficult to eradicate. However, it is worth noting that because this disease is not very painful, it is often neglected and treatment is delayed. In particular, because the characteristic of this disease is depigmentation, it is sometimes mistaken for vitiligo, increasing the patient's psychological burden and even leading to misdiagnosis. Therefore, the best approach is to seek medical attention as soon as possible if similar lesions and symptoms occur.

　　How to treat tinea versicolor? 25% sodium thiosulfate can be applied externally, followed by 3% dilute hydrochloric acid to produce nascent sulfur to achieve the purpose of sterilization. In addition, 1% clotrimazole cream or tincture also has a certain effect. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment is also very effective. Medicinal herbs: 30g of sophora flavescens, 30g of white lichen skin, 10g of phellodendron, 10g of alum, 10g of realgar, 20g of kochia scoparia, decocted in water, and wet compresses are made with gauze, which has a good therapeutic effect.

　　The way to prevent this disease is to pay attention to personal hygiene and frequently change and wash clothes and bedding.

　　Fifthly, the prevention and treatment of prickly heat.

　　Prickly heat is caused by the stimulation of sweat on the superficial sweat pores of the skin due to heat. The affected area is hot and itchy, and scratching the skin can lead to infection by pyogenic bacteria, resulting in skin diseases such as boils and impetigo.

　　Prickly heat is most likely to occur in children, but some adults with delicate skin, obesity, excessive sweating, or weak constitution may also develop prickly heat. Except for the thicker skin parts such as the soles of the feet and palms, prickly heat can occur on all parts of the body.

　　After developing prickly heat, as long as you pay attention to maintaining skin hygiene, the prickly heat will dry up and peel off and heal on its own within a few days. For more severe prickly heat, you can use Liuyi powder (one part licorice, six parts talc) or 60g of smelly tung tree, 120g of toothache grass decoction for external washing, or take honeysuckle dew orally, both of which have good preventive and therapeutic effects. At the same time, prevent children from scratching the prickly heat to avoid infection and suppuration.

　　Folk remedies for the prevention and treatment of prickly heat have accumulated a lot, mainly as follows:

　　Wash 60g of leek roots, decoct and drink.

　　15g of pomegranate peel, 30-60g of plantain, decoct and wash externally.

　　Two parts jujube leaves, one part mint, three parts talc, ground into fine powder, sprinkled on prickly heat.

　　Decoct banana leaves and add them to the bath water for showering.

　　Cut fresh cucumber into slices and apply to the affected area.

　　Cut winter melon into slices and gently apply to the affected area to reduce prickly heat.

　　Juice fresh radish and apply to the affected area to relieve itching.

　　Appropriate amounts of fresh bitter melon leaves and mint, mashed and juiced, applied to the affected area.

　　Use 60g of mung bean powder and 30g of talc, mix well and apply locally. You can also add 60g of clam powder. At the same time, you can also take appropriate amounts of mung beans and fresh lotus leaves and boil them into soup for multiple times.

　　Use fresh loofah leaves decocted in water for daily bathing, or use it alone or in combination with the above method. Fresh loofah leaves are juiced and applied externally to the affected area; for purulent prickly heat, use a handful of loofah leaves and appropriate amount of borax, mashed and applied externally, two to three times a day.

　　In addition to using dietary therapy to prevent and treat prickly heat, it is mainly necessary to pay attention to skin hygiene, frequent bathing, and frequent changes of clothes. For people who are prone to prickly heat, after bathing, dry the skin and then apply some body powder or prickly heat powder. As for parents, do not undress the child for fear that the child is too hot, because the skin lacks a layer of protection; it is easier to be affected by heat and other adverse stimuli and develop prickly heat. At the same time, do not hug or always carry the child out of love.

　　Clothing should also be comfortable and fit well, not too tight, to facilitate the child's activities and sweat evaporation. The texture of the clothes should be softer, too hard clothes will constantly rub and stimulate the skin, which can increase prickly heat. For those prone to prickly heat, eat some vitamin B1 and vitamin C. Eat more vegetables, drink more boiled water and vegetable soup, and keep the bowels open.

　　Sixthly, the prevention and treatment of boils.

　　Summer is the peak season for boils, and many children's heads, faces, necks, and backs are prone to boils. This is an acute purulent infection caused by bacterial invasion of the hair follicles and associated sebaceous glands of the human skin.

　　Initially, a small pustule appears at the hair follicle, quickly developing into a firm, purplish-red nodule the size of a soybean to a broad bean. There is often more than one, and the pain is quite noticeable. After 3-5 days, the center of the nodule softens and fluctuates, eventually rupturing and discharging thick pus before healing. If a furuncle occurs on the face, in the "danger triangle" around the upper lip and nose, squeezing or scratching can cause bacteria to travel retrogradely through the veins into the cranium, leading to life-threatening purulent cavernous sinus thrombosis. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of furuncles are crucial. If multiple furuncles occur simultaneously or repeatedly in various parts of the body, it is called furunculosis. Furunculosis can last intermittently for several months or even half a year, causing considerable suffering to patients. For children, it also affects their healthy growth. A small number of children may also develop acute nephritis, and occasionally even sepsis leading to death. In kindergartens and nurseries, children with furunculosis can infect other children.

　　Treatment of this disease mainly involves:

　　In the early stages of a furuncle, apply hot compresses promptly, and regularly disinfect the surrounding skin with 75% alcohol to help localize the furuncle.

　　When a furuncle forms, apply 10% ichthyol ointment or traditional Chinese medicine hibiscus ointment externally.

　　If the furuncle matures, the surface is soft, and fluctuation is present, it can be incised and drained. After drainage, apply compound neomycin ointment until healed; however, furuncles on the external auditory canal, nose, and upper lip should not be incised, and should not be squeezed to prevent the spread of infection.

　　If furunculosis occurs with significant pain and fever, and local lymph node swelling and pain, oral or injected antibiotics should be used. If necessary, oral administration of the traditional Chinese medicine Wuwei Xiaodu Yin, which clears heat and detoxifies, can be considered. Some children with furunculosis should also be checked for diabetes and regularly consume mung bean soup, or use honeysuckle and wild chrysanthemum decoction as a tea substitute.

　　Prevention of this disease begins with maintaining skin cleanliness and hygiene, showering and changing clothes daily. Homes should be kept cool, and indoor ventilation should be ensured to prevent children from developing prickly heat due to excessive sweating. Children with furunculosis must be isolated and treated, and used pillows and bedding should be washed, sunned, and disinfected.

　　Seven is vegetable photodermatitis.

　　This disease is caused by consuming large quantities of certain vegetables in a short period, such as rapeseed, amaranth, or wild astragalus and chenopodium, combined with excessive sun exposure. These vegetables and wild vegetables contain a free substance that accumulates with increased vegetable intake, entering the epidermis capillaries through the bloodstream. When combined with sun exposure, this substance stimulates the skin, causing dermatitis, often on exposed areas such as the face and back of the hands. Symptoms include substantial edema, and in severe cases, ecchymosis, blisters, and even local necrosis. The affected area may experience pain and numbness, accompanied by fever.

　　Treatment is not difficult; simply use medication to alleviate discomfort, reduce the intake of vegetables that may cause this disease, avoid sun exposure, and maintain cleanliness. Improvement is usually seen within 1-2 weeks.

　　Prevention of "vegetable photodermatitis" involves avoiding the consumption of large quantities of a single potentially causative vegetable in a short period, especially during the summer when many vegetables are in season.

　　Eight is the prevention and treatment of dysentery.

　　Bacterial dysentery is most prevalent in summer due to high temperatures and rapid bacterial reproduction. Flies are a significant vector for dysentery. Flies reproduce rapidly and are highly active in summer. Normally, stomach acid in the human stomach kills ingested bacteria. However, in hot weather, excessive sweating leads to significant loss of water and electrolytes, reducing the raw materials for stomach acid production. Increased water intake dilutes stomach acid, weakening its bactericidal ability. Ingested bacteria can easily reach the intestines. In summer, people often consume raw vegetables and fruits without disinfection, increasing the chance of bacterial infection.

　　After shigella enters the body, it takes about 1-7 days to develop the disease. Dysentery is classified into three types based on the severity and duration of symptoms:

　　One is acute bacillary dysentery: This can be further divided into mild and severe types. Mild cases involve mild fever and diarrhea with pus, blood, and mucus in the stool. Severe cases have a rapid onset with fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, general malaise, increased stool frequency (20-30 times daily).

　　Two is toxic dysentery: This involves a sudden high fever, and before bloody stools appear, the patient experiences stupor, convulsions, and a high risk of death within one or two days.

　　Three is chronic dysentery: If acute dysentery is not treated properly, it may become chronic.

　　After developing dysentery, fasting for 12-24 hours is recommended, followed by low-residue liquid foods such as milk, soybean milk, lotus root powder, noodle soup, and thin porridge. As the condition improves, noodles and toasted bread can be added, gradually returning to a normal diet.

　　Drink plenty of light salt water or vegetable soup daily to replenish fluids and electrolytes lost due to dysentery. Drinking more water also dilutes toxins in the blood and aids in their excretion.

　　Apply oil around the anus to prevent chafing. Adults or older children can eat raw garlic two or three times a day, which also has a therapeutic effect. Alternatively, use one pound of fresh purslane, wash and boil it, add an appropriate amount of crushed garlic, and eat it cold with the broth. Take Coptis chinensis tablets, two tablets at a time, three times a day. Or use 15 grams of Coptis chinensis and 30-60 grams of hawthorn, decocted and taken orally. Or use a handful of Euphorbia humifusa, decoct it with sugar, and drink it as tea.

　　Dysentery prevention primarily focuses on preventing infection through the mouth. Wash raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly, blanch them in boiling water, and ideally disinfect them with disinfectant. Avoid eating spoiled food, drinking raw water, and wash hands before meals and after using the toilet. Wash hands after contact with patients. If there is a dysentery patient at home, seek prompt treatment. Regularly eliminate flies.

　　Nine is the prevention and treatment of acute gastroenteritis.

　　This is one of the common diseases in summer, and the public calls it "June diarrhea". The summer climate is hot and humid, and bacteria multiply quickly. Many bacteria, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli, are the culprits that cause gastroenteritis. If you do not pay attention to food hygiene, eat food that has been crawled on by flies, drink raw water, or eat spoiled food, these bacteria will take the opportunity to invade the intestinal epithelial cells, causing inflammation and damage to the intestinal mucosa, resulting in acute gastroenteritis.

　　In addition, bacteria can secrete soluble toxins, which promote the small intestine to secrete a large amount of water and electrolytes. Due to the toxin stimulating the intestines to accelerate peristalsis, it causes diarrhea. If the toxin enters the blood, it can cause systemic toxemia, causing the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system to be disordered, which will cause reflex vomiting. Due to diarrhea and vomiting, a large amount of fluid is discharged from the body, and excessive sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate ions are lost, which can also cause dehydration and electrolyte disorders. If not treated in time, it can endanger the patient's life.

　　The treatment method for this disease is: if it is caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection, chloramphenicol can be taken; for acute gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella, compound sulfamethoxazole can be taken; for Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection, tetracycline can be used for treatment. For patients with severe vomiting and diarrhea, fluid should be replenished in time, starting with isotonic saline and then glucose water; and pay attention to potassium supplementation, correct acidosis, and maintain the body's acid-base balance. For patients with abdominal pain, atropine should be given to relieve gastrointestinal spasms.

　　Preventive measures are: wash hands before and after meals, do not drink raw water, do not eat rotten and spoiled food; for leftover meals and cooked food bought from the market, they must be reboiled before eating; regularly clean indoor and outdoor environments, eliminate flies and cockroaches; if an intestinal infectious disease patient is found, report to the health department immediately and carry out disinfection work at the epidemic site.

　　Ten is the prevention and treatment of epidemic diarrhea.

　　In the hot summer and autumn seasons, due to high temperatures and high humidity, various foods are very easy to spoil and deteriorate. If healthy people eat food containing this virus, they are prone to illness, causing epidemic diarrhea.

　　The main symptoms of this disease are: chills and fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and watery yellow stools, 5-6 times a day, and as many as more than ten times. Due to severe diarrhea, dehydration occurs in a short period of time, patients experience thirst, hoarseness, weakness in the limbs, and in severe cases, acidosis and uremia can occur.

　　For general diarrhea patients, in addition to taking antibiotics and other medications and paying attention to rest, it is particularly important to pay attention to dietary adjustment, cooperate with treatment, alleviate symptoms, and restore health.

　　In terms of dietary adjustment, the principle is to be nutritious and therapeutic. Coarse fiber foods and strong irritating foods should be restricted to protect the intestinal mucosa and intestinal function. Therefore, patients should eat some liquid diets, such as rice soup, slightly strong tea, lemon tea, and if possible, drink yogurt, because yogurt is more nutritious, it can also inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines, and it also has an astringent effect. Others include lotus root powder, fruit juice, fruit jelly, apple puree, soft noodles, vegetable soup, egg soup, etc. These foods are low in fat and easy to digest and absorb.

　　Preventive measures are: improve food hygiene and drinking water hygiene, manage feces, and eliminate flies; develop the habit of washing hands before and after meals, do not drink raw water, do not eat snacks, and do not eat spoiled food; according to weather changes, pay attention to putting on and taking off clothes, and cover yourself well at night to prevent colds and stomach chills.

　　Eleven is the prevention and treatment of food poisoning.

　　This is the most common intestinal disease in summer and must be given attention to prevention and treatment. Food poisoning is fierce, involves many people, and if not handled properly, it can even cause death. In the hot and humid summer, bacteria are easy to multiply. For example, when milk is freshly squeezed, there are more than 9,000 bacteria per milliliter. Under the condition of 35℃, after 6 hours, the number of bacteria can reach more than 10 million.

　　The clinical symptoms of this disease often vary due to different causes of poisoning. For example, if animal food poisoning is caused by Salmonella, the symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting; if food contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus is ingested, the symptoms are characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, and upper abdominal colic.

　　The most crucial aspect of preventing this disease is to avoid eating rotten and spoiled food and to choose fresh vegetables. It is best to cook and eat meals on the same day. When eating raw fruits and vegetables, be sure to wash them thoroughly and disinfect them. Because fruits and vegetables can be contaminated with various bacteria, parasite eggs, pesticides, and fertilizers during growth, transportation, and sales.

　　Twelve is the prevention and treatment of solar dermatitis.

　　So-called solar dermatitis is a reaction in which the skin that is excessively exposed to sunlight quickly develops erythema and small vesicles. It is called solar dermatitis or sunburn, sunspot, or solar erythema. People who work indoors for a long time are most prone to this disease if they are suddenly exposed to strong sunlight.

　　The treatment of this disease first involves protecting the sunburned skin and avoiding external irritation as much as possible. Some talcum powder can be applied to the affected area, or calamine lotion can be applied. If the vesicles rupture, 1% gentian violet solution should be applied to the broken area, and then boric zinc paste should be applied. In addition, sesame oil mixed with dried bloodroot powder applied to the lesion also has a good effect.

　　Preventive measures for this disease are: avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, and minimize activities in the sun around noon; secondly, when the sunlight is strong and it is unavoidable to go outdoors, wear a straw hat or sun hat, or use a parasol, wear long-sleeved clothing, and the color should be white or light-colored. You can also wear color-changing glasses or sunglasses; also, maintain skin moisture to prevent wrinkles. There are two main types of skin moisturizers: one is general cosmetics, such as glycerin moisturizers; the other is fresh milk moisturizers, such as Ougi anti-wrinkle beauty cream. Finally, pay attention to sun exposure on a regular basis. Start with less sun exposure and gradually increase it to enhance the skin's resistance.