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Summer Health Directory
Summer -- a time of vacations, summer break, camps, grilling, and the beach. Also, a time of sunburn, heat exhaustion, bug bites, food poisoning, and travel-related illness. But there is good news! You can prevent almost all the negatives by following some simple guidelines. Be safe about staying in the sun, eating food that is well-prepared, staying hydrated, and practicing other safety measures. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about how summer can be a time of fun, relaxation, and healthy activities.
Medical Reference
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Summer Safety for You and Your Kids
Learn more from WebMD about summer safety, including everything from preventing sunburns to treating bee stings to recognizing Lyme disease.
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Summer Allergies
Spring and Fall aren't the only time for seasonal allergies. Learn more about summer allergies from the experts at WebMD.
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Tips for Summer Depression
Summer depression is more common than you may think. WebMD explains why you might feel more stressed and sad in the warmer months -- and offers coping tips.
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Want Healthy Skin? Avoid Sun Damage
Sun damage can age your skin before its time -- and carries serious health risks. WebMD tells you how to prevent sun damage and have better-looking skin.
Features
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Summer Safety Tips for Outdoor Fun
Whether you’re heading to a national park, a beach, or hiking the trails near home, these tips will help you enjoy the great outdoors and stay safe.
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Summer Safety Tips
Follow these safety and first-aid tips and avoid calling 911 later.
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Summer Sipping: Cold Treats for Hot Days
Forget the soft drink or boring bottled water. On hot days, it's easy to improvise. You can create thirst-soothing, yummy summer drinks that are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants.
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Another West Nile Virus Summer?
Eyes are turning to California as encephalitis season starts.
Video
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Video: Flesh Eating Bacteria
There’s a deadly bacteria lurking in waters. How afraid should you be?
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Making the Most of Summer Travel
Here are some tips for planning ahead, lifting heavy bags, and fighting stress when you travel this summer.
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Video: Which Sunscreen Is Better - Spray or Lotion?
Some prefer spray, others prefer lotion. But are the chemicals in sunscreen good for you?
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What Attracts Mosquitoes?
Are you a mosquito magnet? Research shows carbon dioxide, heat, alcohol, and genes could play a role.
Slideshows & Images
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Slideshow: Fattening Foods of Summer
Summertime living may be easy, but if you're not careful, summer's fattening foods - including fried chicken, ribs, potato salad, ice cream, hot dogs, and beer - can really pack on the pounds.
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Slideshow: Summer Health Hazards: Bears, Sharks, Heatstroke, and More
Some summer problems, like sunburn and heatstroke, are common. Others are rare -- think bears and sharks! Are you prepared?
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Slideshow: 25 Ways to Get Ready for Swimsuit Season
Bypass the foods that bloat and see the best swimsuit for your shape in this pictorial guide to looking your best on the beach.
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Slideshow: Summer Skin Hazards -- Stings, Bites, Burns, and More
Don’t let spider bites, sunburn, poison ivy, chigger bites, and jellyfish stings sabotage your healthy skin. This slideshow illustrates what to watch for -- so you can stay safe this summer.
Blogs
Quizzes
Expert Commentary
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Low-Calorie Summer Sippers
Let's drink to summer -- the healthy way
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Cool Summer Drinks: Your Best Bets
What are the healthiest summer beverages? Here are your top choices for hydration, refreshment, and pure enjoyment.
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Some Assembly Required: No-Sweat Summer Meals
Get cooking tips for summer meals.
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Quick Cooking Tips to Get You Out of the Kitchen
Read six tips on quick cooking for summertime.