How Can You Catch a “Cold” During the Summer?

Summer colds are not normally worse than winter colds. However, they can feel more isolating, particularly if everyone else is enjoying the pool and other outdoor activities. Summer colds generally happen between June and October, and the symptoms are very similar to most winter common cold symptoms.

How Can You Catch a “Cold” During the Summer?

Summer Cold Symptoms

If you have a summer cold, chances are you will have a runny nose, cough, and your throat will feel scratchy – you might even think it is just summer allergies. Cold symptoms in the summer might also include a headache, fever, and body aches (muscle aches) – but how is it possible during the summer months? Sinus infections, strep throat, and pneumonia can also affect you in summer and not just in the winter months.

Summer colds, like colds that occur during other seasons, are caused by viruses and can produce a range of symptoms. Here are common cold symptoms in the summer:

Runny or stuffy nose: This can include clear or colored nasal discharge.
Sneezing: Frequent sneezing may occur due to nasal irritation.
Sore throat: Throat discomfort or pain may be present, especially when swallowing.
Cough: A dry or productive cough may develop, sometimes accompanied by chest congestion.
Fatigue: Feeling tired or lethargic is common, as the body fights off the viral infection.
Headache: Headaches can occur due to sinus pressure or congestion.
Body aches: Generalized muscle aches and pains may be experienced.
Mild fever: Some people may develop a low-grade fever, although it’s less common with summer colds compared to influenza.
Watery eyes: Eyes may become watery or irritated due to nasal congestion and sinus pressure.

Do similar viruses and bacteria cause summer colds as winter colds?

The answer is no. Winter colds are typically caused by rhinoviruses, and there are around 200 types or more of rhinoviruses. Summer colds are usually caused by an enterovirus, which lives in the gut.

For instance, polio is a type of enterovirus – but not the same type as those that cause colds. There are around 60 kinds of non-polio viruses, and those can cause colds. On top of regular cold symptoms, because enteroviruses live in the gut, they can also cause nausea, vomiting, and at times even skin rashes.

Risk Factors

Most individuals are contagious for several days. You will want to be mindful of that when visiting friends or family members that have or have had a cold recently. Children are often carriers of the virus as they are less likely to wash their hands regularly.

Spending time in enclosed public places also carries a risk. Often when you are congested from allergies, it traps the bacteria and viruses in the upper respiratory tract and that can lead to infections.

How long does a summer cold last?

Unfortunately, a summer cold can last anywhere from days to weeks. However, the average cold will last between 7 and 10 days. This is the time an average person’s immune system will take to clear a virus.

If it is bacterial such as pneumonia and strep throat, the cold can last longer, up to 14 days in some cases. This is due to the body having to kill off the bacteria that causes these kinds of viral infections. In some cases, a cough from the summer cold can linger for up to a month or two.

Summer Cold Treatment: How to Recover Faster

Get Plenty of Rest

Being dehydrated does not allow chemical reactions in your body to occur efficiently. We are essentially one big chemistry experiment inside, which relies on plenty of water to function well.

Often when you are ill you run a fever. This is a way your immune system works to rid you of the virus or bacteria. However, at the same time, it can lead to dehydration as you sweat to cool yourself, and in that way lose water.

Your body needs time to heal.

Eat Healthy Foods

If you have a summer cold, make sure you and your family are eating a healthy, well–balanced diet. Although many people will instinctively reach for comfort food when sick, a poor diet will slow down your healing. If an infected person eats unhealthy foods, it will hinder the immune system’s ability to work most efficiently.

Avoid Alcohol and Smoking

Staying away from alcohol and smoking will ensure your immune system is operating in the best form.

Take Supplements

Vitamin C and zinc can help reduce recovery time from cold and flu symptoms. These health supplements are essential elements for a well-running immune system and can help you recover and feel better faster. They can also help you to avoid getting sick to begin with. Talk with your general practitioner before taking any over-the-counter medications or supplements.

Drink Plenty of Fluids (Water)

Being dehydrated does not allow chemical reactions in your body to occur efficiently. We are essentially one big chemistry experiment inside, which relies on plenty of water to function well. Often when you are ill you run a fever. This is a way your immune system works to rid you of the virus or bacteria. However, at the same time, it can lead to dehydration as you sweat to cool yourself, and in that way lose water.

Humidifiers

Humidifiers can’t directly get rid of a summer cold, but they can help relieve certain symptoms. A humidifier can give you relief from a runny nose, congestion, sore throat, and coughing.

Prevention is the best cure. Summer colds are prevented in the same way COVID-19 is prevented. Keep your distance from those that are ill, wear a mask when necessary, practice good hand hygiene and if you are sick, please stay home.

Helpful reading: COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences? -Mayo Clinic

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