Kids Summer Health Guide: What to Watch for Before Summer Ends

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As summer winds down, families may be squeezing in final pool days, camps and travel before school-year routines begin. The final weeks of the season can still bring dehydration, rashes, stomach bugs and other illnesses that catch parents off guard.

Knowing what to watch for and where to turn when you’re unsure can help you respond quickly and calmly.

Key Takeaways

• Warm weather, travel and busy schedules can affect kids differently than they do adults. Many common summer illnesses can be managed at home, but it’s important to know what’s normal and what’s not.
• Resources like Nurse Now and Video Visits on Demand help parents decide what to do next without having to guess.

The Most Common Summer Illnesses

Summer activities create specific health patterns in kids, especially when they involve heat, water and close contact.

• Heat-related illness and dehydration in kids are common concerns during hot weather. Children don’t always recognize thirst or take breaks when they need them. This can lead to headaches, fatigue and dizziness.
• Stomach bugs are also more common in the summer. They spread more easily too, especially at camps, pools and family gatherings. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps can start quickly. They can be unsettling, even if they pass within a few days.
• Skin issues and summer rashes can develop after swimming, from sweating or contact with plants or insects. Heat rash, swimmer’s itch and mild allergic reactions are all typical examples parents see this time of year.
• Swimmer’s ear is another summer concern caused by moisture trapped in the ear canal. Kids may complain of ear pain, itching or a feeling of fullness. Swimmer’s ear is more likely after swimming several days in a row.

If you’re not sure whether symptoms are mild or need a closer look, visit the St. Elizabeth Get Care Now webpage to find options for the care your child needs.

Caring for Mild Illness at Home

Not every summer illness needs medical treatment. You can manage many symptoms at home with close attention and supportive care.

When symptoms are mild, such as a low-grade stomach bug, a small rash that isn’t spreading or mild ear pain, rest and fluids are the most important steps. Offering water or electrolyte drinks, encouraging quiet time and keeping your child cool can help their body recover.

If your child is drinking fluids, is alert and feels better day-by-day, home care is often enough.

When to See a Doctor for a Summer Illness

Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether a symptom is something to watch or something that needs attention. This is especially true when kids have a hard time describing how they feel.

If your child’s symptoms don’t improve or seem to be getting worse, St. Elizabeth Physicians Virtual Health options make it easy to get answers when you need them.

• Nurse Now is a great place to start. This free service is available 24/7, 365 days a year and connects you with a St. Elizabeth nurse who can listen to your symptoms, answer questions and help determine whether home care is enough or if you need follow-up care. Call 1-800-4STE-NOW anytime.
• Video Visits on Demand offer quick, easy and secure care for many non-emergency concerns — often the same day — with expanded evening and weekend hours. You don’t need to be an established St. Elizabeth patient to start a visit.

“Summertime may not be the time of year when you think about getting sick, but things can pop up that you need treatment for like burns, stings, and heat-related illness, so knowing what options you have for care is important,” says Alyssa Kreider, APRN, a Nurse Practitioner who sees patients via Video Visits on Demand.

“If you’re ever in doubt, call the Nurse Now Helpline and they can work with you to find the right place to get care.”

Schedule your visit online or through MyChart.

Tips for a Healthy Summer

As summer comes to a close, a few simple habits can help kids feel their best heading into the school year. Encourage regular water breaks, sunscreen use and rest during hot days. Showering after swimming, washing hands often and changing out of wet clothes can help prevent rashes and infections. Pay attention to early symptoms and act before they get worse. With a little preparation and knowledge of where to turn for care, families can finish the season with more confidence and ease into fall routines with fewer health concerns.