Tips for staying healthy this summer
Summertime is almost here and that means people are firing up the grills and heading to the pool. However, there are certain diseases that tend to pop up in the summer months. Below are a few things to watch out for this summer.
Southeastern Idaho Public Health said they see an influx of Cryptosporidium in the summer time. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Cryptosporidium is a type of parasite that lives in the intestines of infected humans. While the chlorine in swimming pools can kill a lot of different things, it cannot kill this type of parasite. Swallowing pool water that was contaminated with the parasite could potentially infected a child or an adult. For this reason, Southeastern Idaho Public Health advises that individuals who feel sick or have diarrhea to stay out of the water. And of course, try not to drink any of the pool water.
Food poisoning and bacteria is another issue that pops up in the summer time. During a picnic or barbeque food tends to get left outside, which promotes bacteria growth. If food has been left out in the heat for four hours or more, it needs to be thrown away according to Michelle Ostler, the senior environmental specialist at Southeastern Idaho Public Health. Ostler said things like campylobacter, ecoli and salmonella could start growing on food left out.
Finally, as people wander into the wilderness to camp, ticks and mosquitoes become a concern. These pesky creatures are not only a nuisance but they also carry diseases. Ostler advises to check your hair and body for ticks and use Deet or other EPA approved mosquito repellant.
