What Is a Summer Cold? Symptoms vs. Allergies and Relief
A “summer cold” refers to a common respiratory illness occurring during warmer months, sharing many similarities with winter colds. These illnesses are caused by viruses, leading to familiar symptoms like a runny nose or sore throat. While symptoms may feel similar to a typical cold, the specific viruses responsible can sometimes differ from those circulating in colder seasons.
What Causes Them and How They Feel
Summer colds are frequently caused by enteroviruses, a group of viruses more prevalent during warmer seasons. Unlike rhinoviruses, which cause common colds in fall and winter, enteroviruses thrive in summer temperatures. They spread through respiratory secretions from an infected person, such as coughs or sneezes, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then one’s face.
Once infected, individuals typically experience symptoms resembling a common cold, including runny nose, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, and nasal congestion. A general feeling of being unwell is also common. While most symptoms affect the respiratory system, enteroviruses can sometimes lead to digestive upset, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, which is less common in typical winter colds.
How to Tell It Apart
Distinguishing a summer cold from other conditions with similar symptoms is important. Seasonal allergies, for instance, often cause a runny nose, sneezing, and congestion, but typically include itchy eyes, nose, or throat. Unlike a cold, allergies do not cause a fever, and nasal discharge is usually clear and watery, whereas cold mucus can become thicker and discolored.
The flu presents with more severe and abrupt symptoms than a summer cold. Flu symptoms often include a high fever, significant body aches, chills, and profound fatigue. While both can cause coughing and a sore throat, the sudden onset and systemic nature of flu symptoms often help differentiate it from a gradual cold. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are distinct from respiratory illnesses, presenting with symptoms like dizziness, headache, excessive sweating, and nausea. These conditions are a direct result of the body overheating and do not involve typical cold symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose.
Relief and Prevention
Managing the symptoms of a summer cold primarily involves supportive care and common home remedies. Adequate rest is beneficial, allowing the body to recover. Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids like water, clear broths, or sports drinks helps alleviate congestion and prevent dehydration. Over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, decongestants, and cough suppressants can help manage discomfort. Soothing remedies like saltwater gargles can ease a sore throat, and honey may help calm a cough.
Preventing summer colds involves practicing good hygiene and adopting healthy habits. Frequent handwashing with soap and water helps reduce virus transmission. Avoiding touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth, can prevent viruses from entering your body. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and sufficient sleep, supports the immune system’s ability to fight off infections. If symptoms are severe, persist, or include difficulty breathing or a high fever, seeking medical attention is advised.