Common Summertime Illnesses in Children

Common Summertime Illnesses in Children

Summer is packed with opportunities for fun! Between camps, swim team, family vacations, and more there’s plenty to keep your kids busy and having fun. But, while you’re stocking up on sunscreen and snacks, it’s also worth remembering that summer brings its own set of childhood illnesses. So, how do you know when to bring your child in to see us? Well, today we’re going to cover some of the common summer illnesses you might see and what you can do at home vs. when to schedule an appointment with us.

1. Summer Colds

Most people associate colds with winter, but viruses don’t take a summer vacation. Enteroviruses and other common viruses tend to circulate during the warmer months, especially in places where kids gather, like camps, playgrounds, and vacation destinations.

Common Symptoms

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Mild cough
• Low-grade fever
• Fatigue

What to Do: Encourage plenty of rest and fluids. Most summer colds improve on their own within a few days. If symptoms worsen, breathing becomes difficult, or a fever persists, it’s a good idea to have your child evaluated.

 

2. Stomach Bugs (Gastroenteritis)

A stomach virus can quickly derail summer plans. These infections spread easily through contaminated surfaces, close contact, and shared spaces like pools, camps, and daycare centers.

Common Symptoms

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Fever

What to Do: The biggest concern is dehydration, especially during hot weather. Offer small, frequent sips of water or electrolyte drinks. Contact a healthcare provider if your child cannot keep fluids down, appears unusually sleepy, has fewer wet diapers, or shows other signs of dehydration.

 

3. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Despite its name, Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease isn’t related to animals. It’s a common viral illness that frequently appears during the summer and early fall and spreads quickly among young children.

Common Symptoms

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Painful mouth sores
• Rash or blisters on the hands and feet
• Reduced appetite

What to Do: Most children recover within seven to ten days. Focus on hydration and offer soft, cool foods such as yogurt, smoothies, or popsicles. Children should stay home from group activities until fever-free and feeling better.

 

4. Tick-Borne Illnesses

Summer means more time outdoors and more opportunities for tick bites.  Ticks can be found in wooded areas, tall grass, parks, and even backyards. This year, ticks are more prevalent than ever so it’s wise to be aware of how to prevent them from biting, and what to do if a bite occurs.

Common Symptoms

• Rash near the bite site
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain

What to Do: Apply an insect repellent such as DEET or deep-woods OFF aerosol before playing in wooded areas. After outdoor activities, perform a thorough tick check, paying special attention to the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, and behind the knees. Remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers and take a photo of the tick, or save it in a plastic bag or container. Being able to see the size and shape of the tick will aid us in evaluating the risk associated with developing a tick-borne disease. If your child develops any of the above symptoms after a tick bite, contact us immediately. 

 

5. Swimmer’s Ear

Frequent swimming can sometimes lead to an outer ear infection known as swimmer’s ear. Moisture trapped in the ear canal creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.

Common Symptoms

• Ear pain
• Itching inside the ear
• Drainage from the ear
• Muffled hearing
• Pain when touching or pulling the ear

What to Do: Keep the ear dry and avoid swimming until symptoms improve. Many cases require prescription ear drops to clear the infection. Thoroughly drying ears after swimming can help reduce the risk.

 

6. Heat-Related Illnesses

Children are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses because they may not recognize when they’re becoming overheated or dehydrated.

Common Symptoms

• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Flushed skin

What to Do: Move your child to a cool area immediately, offer fluids, and apply cool compresses. Severe symptoms such as confusion, fainting, or a body temperature above 104°F require emergency medical attention.

Prevention Tips

• Encourage frequent water breaks.
• Schedule outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day.
• Dress children in lightweight clothing.
• Never leave a child in a parked vehicle.

7. Fungal Infections

Warm, humid conditions create an ideal environment for fungal infections. Summer camps, locker rooms, pools, and sweaty sports gear can all contribute.

Common Types in Children

• Athlete’s Foot: An itchy, peeling rash that typically develops between the toes.
• Ringworm: A circular, red, scaly rash that can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp.
• Jock Itch: An itchy rash that develops in warm, moist skin folds.

What to Do: Keep affected areas clean and dry. Over-the-counter antifungal treatments are often effective, but persistent or spreading rashes should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

 

When Should Parents Seek Medical Care?

While many summertime illnesses improve with rest and supportive care, it’s important to seek medical attention if your child experiences:

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent high fever
• Signs of dehydration
• Severe pain
• Confusion or lethargy
• Symptoms that continue to worsen

Most summertime illnesses are minor bumps in the road, but knowing what to watch for can help you respond quickly and confidently. By staying hydrated, practicing good hygiene, protecting against insects, and keeping cool in the heat, your family can spend more time making memories and less time feeling miserable.

If illness does strike, don’t stress. Remember, nothing is too small! If you’re concerned, so are we! Our weekend urgent care hours are Saturdays from 9am – 11am and Sundays from 1pm – 3pm and we can always see you for urgent/sick visits on the weekdays! Call us at 706-868-0389 for same day or urgent appointments.

Source: Urgent Care of Fairhope. “Common Summertime Illnesses in Children (and How to Handle Them Like a Pro).” Published July 1, 2025

For questions, to book an appointment, or any other concerns, Augusta Pediatrics can be reached at (706) 868-0389. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.