If you thought once winter turned to spring, that colds were behind you until next year, think again. Different viruses circulate at different times of the year. In winter, rhinoviruses cause common cold symptoms. In the summer, non-polio enteroviruses become the primary cold virus. In addition, having a summer cold does not make you immune to getting sick again.
What are the symptoms of non-polio enterovirus infection?
- Body aches
- Cough
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
Non-polio enteroviruses can infect your digestive tract and make your stomach sick. Usually, these symptoms are milder than norovirus, which causes the stomach flu. Non-polio enterovirus can also cause conjunctivitis (pink eye) and hand, foot and mouth disease. Children who attend daycare are more likely to get these diseases.
How to Prevent a Summer Cold?
- Washing your hands with soap and water is the easiest and most important thing you can do to avoid getting sick.
- Viruses can enter through your eyes, nose and mouth, so don’t touch those areas unless you’ve just washed your hands.
- Avoid people who have cold symptoms.
- If someone in your home is sick, use sanitizing wipes on high-touch surfaces in your home such as doorknobs, remote controls, sinks and countertops.
- Get plenty of sleep. Getting a good nights’ sleep is essential for ensuring your immune system functions at its best.
What to do if you catch a summer cold?
- Get plenty of rest, stay home from work.
- Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water or sports drinks to replenish electrolytes.
- Take over-the-counter medicine if necessary.
- Try taking vitamin C or zinc, which have been proven to help speed up recovery from a cold.
- Try using a humidifier. Humidifiers cannot get rid of colds, but they can help relieve symptoms.
How will I know it’s not allergies?
- You will have other symptoms. Colds and allergies share many symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and sore throat. A cold, however, will also include other symptoms likes coughing, sweating and fever.
- Allergies will last longer. Cold symptoms will disappear after 1 or 2 weeks.
- Symptoms may fluctuate. If your symptoms start out mild, then get worse, you likely have a cold. Allergy symptoms tend to be more consistent in their severity.
- The onset of symptoms is different. With a summer cold, you’ll probably experience different symptoms at different times. With allergies, all the symptoms will come on at once.
- Nasal discharge will be different. Because colds are infections, mucus when blowing your nose will be thick and greenish or yellowish. Allergy mucus is typically clear and thinner in consistency.
How long will it last?
Summer colds tend to last as long as any other cold. It usually depends on age, health, genetics, or other factors. You can expect a summer cold to last about a week, with children being able to resolve colds more quickly. The better you take care of yourself, the quicker you are likely to begin feeling better. If a summer cold lasts longer than 2 weeks, consider seeing a physician.
