Colds aren’t just a winter problem. In fact, 30-50% of colds are caused by rhinoviruses that are most active in spring, summer and early fall. No one wants to be cooped up indoors, especially when the weather is nice.
Summer cold symptoms don’t differ much from their winter counterparts. Common cold symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, sore throat, low-grade fever and headaches. These symptoms usually peak on day three or four and resolve within a week.
Treating Summer Colds
Like winter colds, summer colds can usually be treated with over the counter medication and a few changes to your diet. For those suffering from summer colds, we suggest:
- Take an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant to unclog a stuffy nose.
- Use a saline spray to irrigate the nose and keep mucus loose.
- Take an OTC pain reliever (like Tylenol) to reduce fever and manage pain.
- Use cough drops and throat lozenges to manage that pesky dry cough.
- Gargle with warm salt water to soothe a sore throat.
- Don’t take antibiotics.
- Allow your body to rest — get plenty of sleep, and avoid strenuous exercise.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated in the heat.
- Try iced tea with honey to soothe your sore throat.
- Head to the doctor if you don’t get relief within two days, or you are wheezing.
Is it a Summer Cold or Allergies?
summer cold or allergies, many people are unsure if the symptoms they are experiencing are the common cold or allergies. A cold is caused by a virus, while allergies are a reaction to an irritant in your environment. Both share symptoms such as sore throat, dry cough and wheezing.
The primary difference between a cold and allergies is the presence of fever and how long your symptoms last. Allergies do not cause fever. Allergy symptoms usually last several weeks as opposed to a cold that lasts several days.
