You can catch a cold in the summer because cold-causing viruses circulate throughout the year. Warm weather does not prevent infection, and symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, and cough can overlap with allergies and other respiratory illnesses.

This guide explains what causes summer colds, how long symptoms usually last, what may help you feel better, and when to seek medical care.

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.

What Causes a Summer Cold?

Colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of the common cold and circulate year-round, including during summer.

Enteroviruses also circulate more commonly during summer and early fall. Some enterovirus infections cause cold-like symptoms along with digestive symptoms or a rash. However, not every summer cold is caused by an enterovirus.

Strep throat, pneumonia, and other infections are separate conditions—not types of bacterial colds. Similar symptoms may require an examination or testing to identify the cause.

Is It a Summer Cold, Allergies, or Another Infection?

A runny nose, sore throat, and cough do not always mean you have a cold. Seasonal allergies, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections can cause overlapping symptoms. Symptoms alone may not reliably identify the cause.

Summer Cold vs. Seasonal Allergies

Itchy eyes or an itchy nose, repeated sneezing, and symptoms that recur with pollen exposure can suggest allergies. Seasonal allergies do not cause fever, and symptoms may continue while exposure to the trigger lasts.

A cold is caused by a virus and generally improves over days rather than continuing throughout an allergy season. However, persistent symptoms are not proof of allergies and may need evaluation.

Summer Cold vs. COVID-19

COVID-19 can cause cold-like symptoms, including a sore throat, congestion, cough, and headache. Testing helps distinguish COVID-19 from illnesses with similar symptoms.

If you have symptoms, consider testing and contact a healthcare professional promptly if you are at increased risk of severe illness, because treatment decisions can be time-sensitive.

Can You Get the Flu in Summer?

Flu is less common during summer in the United States, but it is still possible. Travel and exposure to someone with influenza can matter. A healthcare provider can decide whether testing or treatment is appropriate.

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.

For more tips on keeping your body strong and avoiding illness this season, check out our guide on how to stay healthy during the summer.

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

When to Visit an Urgent Care Clinic

Most summer colds go away on their own with rest, hydration, and supportive care. However, you should see a doctor or visit an urgent care clinic if:

• Your symptoms last longer than 10 days or worsen over time
• You have a high fever (above 101.5°F) that doesn’t go down with over-the-counter medication
• You experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or wheezing
• Your sore throat is severe or accompanied by white patches, which could signal strep
• You have a persistent cough that lingers for more than three weeks
• You feel unusually weak, dizzy, or dehydrated
• You develop a rash or experience stomach symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea

These symptoms may indicate a more serious illness such as pneumonia, strep throat, or a sinus infection that requires medical treatment.

Our Urgent Care Walk-In Clinics in Omaha, Bennington, West Omaha, Rockbrook, Crossroads & Bellevue, NE

Our staff works to provide prompt, personal, and professional care for all of our patients. We strive to provide the attention patients need in as quick a time as possible. Urgent Care Clinics in Omaha & Bellevue, Nebraska has three locations in the Omaha metropolitan area. Our three walk-in clinics are:

• Rockbrook Urgent Care
• Crossroads Urgent Care
• Bellevue Urgent Care
• West Omaha Urgent Care
• Bennington Urgent Care

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