Summer is often synonymous with small ailments: sunburn, insect bites, sunstroke, ... are common and we have no trouble finding information on the subject. On the other hand, there are other inconveniences linked to the summer season but which are much less talked about: the proliferation of bacteria and the ailments associated with it.

In this article, I will not talk about bacteria coming from far away countries but about those that can affect all of us, travelers or not.

Food bacteria in summer

Food: the first source of bacteria in summer

The primary sources of bacteria in summer, come from food. They can cause diarrhea or food poisoning. This is the case with meat, which can be a source of salmonella or Escherichia coli. That's why it's important to pay attention to the transportation, storage and cooking of your meats.

Take them out of the refrigerator just before cooking and do not leave them in the sun. When eating out, beware of street vendors. Their food is often long in the sun. Ask that your meat be well cooked and when in doubt, refrain from eating it. Attention, concerning the meat, you should not always trust appearances but in case your meat has a suspicious color or smell, do not eat it!

Beware of ice cream

Another mode of contamination is through consumption of ice cream. Improperly washed ice machines can be a source of listeria, which is not serious for anyone in good health (it looks like a bad case of gastroenteritis) but can be dangerous for pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems. Again, if in doubt, refrain from using it. Be especially wary of granita machines that run all day in the sun. They are nests of bacteria. 

Respect the cold chain

From a food perspective, also be careful with eggs, deli meats, dairy products and sauces. Remember not to break the cold chain by shopping with a cooler, as well as taking food out of your fridge at the last minute and make sure to wash your hands regularly. 

If you are going on a picnic, take a cooler with you, avoid taking uncooked deli meats and only take what you will eat. 

In any case, if in doubt, do not consume the suspect products. As the saying goes, "Prevention is better than cure"! 

The other bacteria of the summer

Food is the primary source of bacteria, but not the only one. Many summer habits can quickly turn out to be harmful to your health. This is the case, among others, for the air conditioning and the swimming pool. Let's look at these two points.

• Air conditioning, if not properly maintained, can be a source of bacteria. This is the case for the air conditioning in your car, but also in your home or vacation rental. Fungi and molds grow in the filter and can cause respiratory problems such as sore throats, colds, asthma for those who are prone to them and in rare cases, they can cause legionellosis. So remember to maintain it regularly. 
• Pools are also sources of bacteria. Mycoses, warts, ear infections are quite common. In the pool, certain bacteria cause what is called bather's ear or otitis externa. Bacteria or fungi in the water attack the walls of the ear canal causing an ear infection. These ear infections are not serious and are easily treated, but they can be prevented. For this, remember to dry your ears with a small handkerchief after swimming. 

In hot, humid places like swimming pools, sandy beaches or camping showers, you can also get plantar fungus or warts. To avoid catching or transmitting them, remember to wear sandals or flip-flops in these different areas. Again, nothing really dangerous but we still prefer to do without. 

Another source of bacteria that is quite common but little talked about is the bikini line. A wet bathing suit worn for too long can cause urinary tract infections or genital mycoses.

To avoid these small inconveniences, remember to change your swimsuit during the day. In the evening, wash it with soap in your sink and dry it well outside. 

All of these summertime bacteria can affect anyone, but those most susceptible are children under five years old, pregnant or nursing women, people over 65 years old, and immunocompromised individuals. 

To avoid that these bacteria touch you, respect the basic rules of hygiene like washing your hands regularly, respecting the cold chain for your food, maintaining your air conditioning and changing your swimsuit regularly!

Also, be careful if you travel, as you may come into contact with bacteria that are far more dangerous to your health than the ones we have just mentioned.

We wish you a great summer!