How to prevent the most common conditions that occur in spring

Temperature changes, humidity, various airborne allergens, and a weakened immune system after the cold season can foster the onset of spring-specific illnesses. Learn about the most common ailments that occur during the spring months and how we can prevent them in this article.

Allergies

Spring is the season of rebirth, when nature delights us with an explosion of colors and enchanting fragrances. However, for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, such as pollen allergy, this picture is not always perfect. Allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis are two of the most common conditions encountered in spring. Asthma attacks are also aggravated.

Outdoor allergens can be avoided by changing the time of day you choose to go for a walk. Pollen from certain trees (birch, willow, poplar, alder, hazel) or flowers, dust, and mold that appears after rains are triggers for allergies. (Watson, 2023) For healthy people, pollen is harmless, but for those with allergies, the immune system treats it as a foreign body, producing large amounts of antibodies. This releases histamine, which is responsible for allergic symptoms such as itching and watery eyes and nose, nasal congestion, eye redness, sneezing fits, coughing, and difficulty breathing. (***, 2023)

Dust, mites, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens found in homes on furniture, carpets, curtains, drapes, bedding, and other surfaces contribute to the onset of respiratory problems, as well as contact dermatitis-type allergies. Spring is the right season to give your home a breath of fresh air. Make sure that textiles, floors and dust are cleaned regularly, insisting particularly on the bathroom, a favorable place for the development of mold, due to increased humidity.

Indoors, it is recommended to use air conditioning to prevent pollen from entering the home, or even an air purifier. To avoid making things worse, filters must be cleaned and replaced regularly. (***, 2019) For this, you can use Klinall AC – Air conditioner disinfectant, which acts in 5 minutes. It prevents the appearance of allergenic factors and unpleasant odors caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi.

Respiratory viroses

Rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, influenza and parainfluenza viruses, and coronaviruses are responsible for some of the most common ailments that occur in spring, especially in children. Symptoms such as red and irritated eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat and headache, muscle aches, sneezing, fatigue, coughing, chills, and fever are representative of viral infections (Kesson, 2007). Digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, or stomach aches may also occur.

One of the best methods of prevention, in addition to vaccination against certain viruses, is observing hygiene standards. Washing and disinfecting hands and surfaces frequently touched by sick people, wearing a mask, and avoiding crowds are effective prevention methods.

Conjunctivitis

It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye, and can be caused by bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae), viruses (Adenovirus, Herpes simplex), fungi (Candida albicans), or allergens (pollen, dust, pet dander, cosmetics, perfumes). Among these, bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are the most contagious.

The most common symptoms are, depending on the type of infection: redness and itching of the eyes, excessive tearing, burning sensation, feeling of a foreign body in the eye or "sand in the eyes," blurred vision, abundant eye discharge (yellow or green), sticky eyelids, and light sensitivity. (***, 2024)

The best way to prevent infection is to follow hygiene standards (regular hand washing) and avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands. It is also important to clean and periodically disinfect personal items, without sharing them with others.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease and Slapped cheek disease (erythema infectiosum – the 5th childhood disease)

These are common among school-age children or younger, being caused by viruses (especially Coxsackie A16 and Enterovirus 71 in the case of hand, foot, and mouth disease, and Parvovirus B19 in the case of erythema infectiosum). Outbreaks usually occur at the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

In the case of hand, foot, and mouth disease, the virus is transmitted through coughing, sneezing, direct or indirect contact with infected feces, touching contaminated objects, or direct contact with an infected person. It is transmitted very easily, especially in communities, from child to child. It is characterized by painful red blisters inside the mouth with a sore throat, rashes on hands and soles, headache, fever, irritability, and excessive drooling. (***, 2022)

In the case of erythema infectiosum, the virus is transmitted through blood and fluids (coughing and sneezing). Symptoms are usually mild, similar to a cold: runny nose, nasal congestion, headache and body aches, fatigue, and mild fever. After 3-4 days, a bright red rash appears on the cheeks (at this point, children are no longer contagious) and then on the arms, trunk, legs, and buttocks. (***, 2023)

The only prevention method is following hygiene rules. Frequent hand washing is very important, especially before meals and after touching contaminated objects. When this is not possible, hand sanitizers are useful. Disinfect frequently touched areas and avoid crowded spaces as much as possible. Infected persons should be isolated at home.

Chickenpox

It is also known as "varicella" and is an infection caused by the Varicella-zoster virus, which is also responsible for the appearance of Shingles in adults. It manifests as a (pruritic) skin rash that appears first on the chest, back, and face, subsequently spreading over the entire body, causing many blisters. Also, fever, loss of appetite, headache, and fatigue are present symptoms. (***, 2023)

It occurs throughout the year, but especially in winter and spring, being highly contagious, and children are much more affected (having a weakly developed immune system). It is transmitted through direct contact, coughing, or sneezing, and the best prevention method is vaccination. (*** I. , 2014). For people who have a contraindication for it, the only prevention methods remain following hygiene standards and avoiding communities.

Digestive disorders

In spring, gastric conditions (gastritis and ulcers) are much more frequent due to the change in diet and the increased consumption of raw foods, which leads to an increase in gastric secretion. If not treated in time, gastritis progresses to an ulcer.

Gastritis is characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining. A gastric ulcer is a deep lesion that appears in the stomach due to the erosion of the lining by gastric acid. Another cause for the appearance of these two conditions is Helicobacter pylori infection.

Common symptoms consist of: stomach pain and burning (more intense in the case of ulcers), belching, bloating, weight loss, anemia, nausea, and even vomiting. Complications of ulcers can even lead to stomach perforation. (***, 2019)

The transmission mode of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium is not fully known. It can be transmitted from person to person (oral-oral, gastro-oral, or fecal-oral routes), but also through the consumption of food (especially raw vegetables) and contaminated water. Therefore, observing hygiene standards is very important. (Brown, 2000)

Prevention methods remain following hygiene standards and avoiding the consumption of raw foods and potentially contaminated water. Disinfectants based on peracetic acid and glutaraldehyde have proven to be useful in destroying the Helicobacter pylori bacterium (Sakudo, Miyagi, Horikawa, Yamashiro, & Misawa, 2018).

Also, if food is stored improperly in a dirty house, it can cause food poisoning, with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and general malaise. They can be caused by viruses (Norovirus, Rotavirus), bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella), bacterial spores (types of Clostridium or Bacillus), or parasites. (Fletcher, 2023) These can be prevented by adopting hygiene measures: frequent hand washing, proper food washing, and disinfecting surfaces.

Conditions resulting from tick bites

With the arrival of spring, when temperatures rise, ticks become active. In our country, several species have been identified, the most common being Ixodes ricinus (the deer tick) (***, 2018). After mosquitoes, they are the ones that can transmit various pathogens that can cause dangerous infectious diseases: Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis (a serious infection of the brain and spinal cord), babesiosis, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, and rickettsiosis.

Among the symptoms that appear following a tick bite are: fever, headache and muscle aches, fatigue, skin rashes, and in certain cases, even dizziness, joint pain, abdominal pain, nausea, or neurological symptoms. (***, 2021)

To protect yourself from tick bites when you choose to go out in nature, you must follow certain rules. Avoid places with thick and tall grass, dress appropriately (light-colored clothes that cover the skin), and use a repellent with DEET or based on natural oils, such as Klintensiv Klinodiol mosquito and tick spray. Another useful prevention option is vaccination.

Also, you can use an insecticide to combat ticks, such as Aptanex forte (which is also effective against cockroaches, fleas, bedbugs, flies, ants, spiders, and other flying and crawling insects).

Spring asthenia

It appears at the transition from the winter season to the spring one. Melatonin levels increase during winter, when the body adapts to a darker and colder environment. When days become longer and temperatures rise, a disturbance of the body's circadian rhythm occurs due to the deregulation of melatonin levels, which leads to the onset of asthenia. It is characterized by general fatigue, weakness, low appetite, sadness, sometimes even irritability, anxiety, lack of concentration, and difficulty falling asleep. Low stress levels and a balanced diet can improve these symptoms. (***, 2023)

According to a 9-year study on 60 women, published in "Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin" (Saxbe & Repetti, 2010), a link was demonstrated between clutter and high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), which can lead to fatigue, anxiety, and depression. When we are in a crowded, unkempt environment, stress levels increase and we tend to consume unhealthy food. If the house is clean and organized, the stress level is lower, and therefore we can focus on a healthier diet.

To enjoy a carefree spring, try to follow the advice mentioned in the article related to the prevention of some of the most common ailments of this season. Klintensiv is here to help you with a portfolio designed to assist you in this regard.

Photo: shutterstock.com

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