What to Do If You Get Sick on Vacation in Summit County...

Tips from the team at Peaks Medical and Urgent Care

You came to Summit County for the adventure—the mountains, fresh air, and alpine sunshine or snow. But sometimes, instead of hitting the slopes or hiking trails, you end up stuck in bed with a fever, a stomach bug, or altitude sickness.

Getting sick on vacation is never fun, but it doesn’t have to ruin your entire trip. Here’s what to do if illness strikes while you’re visiting Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, or the surrounding areas.

What to Do If You Get Sick While Visiting Summit County

You came to Summit County, Colorado for the adventure—the mountains, fresh air, and alpine sunshine or snow. But sometimes, instead of enjoying the slopes or trails, visitors find themselves sidelined by illness. Common travel-related health issues such as altitude sickness, respiratory infections, stomach bugs, or dehydration can quickly disrupt vacation plans.

Getting sick on vacation is never ideal, but with the right steps, it doesn’t have to ruin your trip. Here’s what to know—and what to do—if illness strikes while you’re visiting Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, or the surrounding Summit County areas.

Understand the Impact of High Altitude

Many visitors arrive from lower elevations, and the body needs time to adjust to Summit County’s high altitude. Symptoms of altitude-related illness may include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. These symptoms can be worsened by dehydration, overexertion, or alcohol consumption.

Rest, hydration, and reducing physical activity are often helpful during the adjustment period. Paying attention to early symptoms can prevent more serious complications.

Stay Hydrated and Support Your Immune System

Hydration is especially important at higher elevations, where the body loses fluids more quickly. Drinking plenty of water, eating balanced meals, and getting adequate sleep can help support your immune system and speed recovery from mild illness.

Limiting alcohol and prioritizing rest can also reduce strain on your body while traveling.

Recognize Common Travel-Related Illnesses

At Peaks Medical & Urgent Care, we frequently see visitors for:

• Altitude sickness

• Cold, flu, and respiratory infections

• Stomach bugs and food-related illness

• Dehydration

• Minor injuries related to skiing, hiking, or winter conditions

Recognizing symptoms early allows you to seek care before they worsen and interfere further with your plans.

Know When to Seek Medical Care

If symptoms persist, worsen, or become severe—such as high fever, ongoing vomiting, dehydration, breathing difficulties, or injury—it’s important to seek prompt medical attention. Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent complications and shorten recovery time.

Urgent care is often the most convenient option for non-emergency medical needs while traveling.

Convenient, Local Care When You Need It

Peaks Medical & Urgent Care provides prompt, compassionate care for both visitors and locals in Summit County. Our experienced medical team understands the unique challenges of high-altitude travel and outdoor recreation and is equipped to treat a wide range of non-emergency illnesses and injuries.

Whether you’re visiting Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, or nearby mountain communities, we’re here to help you feel better and get back to enjoying your time in the mountains.