A cold that you contract during summer is known as a summer cold. Most people think that seasonal changes cause colds, but they are actually caused by viruses. You can get a cold at any time of the year.
The summer cold is a common health issue and clears up within a few days with home remedies. Knowing its causes and symptoms can help you recover and get back on your feet.
While cold symptoms can be caused by over 200 different viruses, the enterovirus family is usually responsible for the common cold. These can spread
You are likely to catch a cold if you touch your nose, mouth, or eyes after coming in contact with an infected person.
Symptoms of a summer cold usually begin after one to three days of exposure. These include:
Although summer colds and allergies are different health issues, they share similar symptoms, making it difficult to differentiate between them. However, there are differences.
While sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, and congestion symptoms are common to both colds and allergies, a cold will cause infection symptoms, like fever and sweating.
Cold symptoms usually worsen before improving. Then, they clear up completely within one to two weeks. However, allergy symptoms will often last an entire season.
With colds, each symptom can start at different times, whereas allergy symptoms usually all happen at once.
You probably have allergies if your symptoms worsen while traveling from one place to another. This is because allergies can appear with exposure to a new location’s pollens and triggering allergens.
Cold-caused nasal discharge tends to be thick and yellowish or greenish, whereas “runny noses” from allergies tend to be watery and clear.
There is no vaccine or medication to kill the viruses causing summer colds, but there are ways to treat the symptoms.
Avoid excessive physical activity and stress to allow your body to devote more resources to fight the infection. Also, get plenty of sleep, as it strengthens your immune system and helps you recover quickly.
Increase your fluid intake, especially water, to stay hydrated. While drinking hot tea can help soothe your symptoms, avoid beverages that may cause dehydration like coffee, energy drinks, and alcohol. Be sure to eat foods rich in vitamins, minerals, vitamin C, and zinc.
Keeping your hands clean is the best way to avoid contracting the cold-causing virus, as it often spreads through hand-to-hand and then hand-to-face contact. It’s important to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or warm water and soap. Don’t touch your mouth, eyes, and nose with unwashed hands.
Compared to outdoors, staying indoors (in an air-conditioned or enclosed space) may increase your risk of catching a summer cold. Try to spend some time in the sun, as the sun’s UV rays can help kill cold-causing viruses.
Though herbs cannot kill or fight a summer cold, they can boost your immune system, helping it combat the cold-causing viruses. You can use herbs like garlic, licorice root, echinacea, elderberry, and ginger.
Over-the-counter cough syrups, fever-reducing medications, and nasal decongestants can help ease your symptoms.
You can use humidifiers to relieve symptoms, such as cough, runny nose, congestion, and sore throat.
Children often get over colds quicker than adults and are usually sick for less than a week. Some adults may experience colds for up to two weeks or more, depending on their age, genetics, health condition, and habits, like smoking and alcohol consumption.
Visit a nearby urgent care center if your symptoms persist for more than three weeks, even after trying home remedies or over-the-counter medications.
If you are looking for an urgent care clinic near you to treat your summer cold, visit us today at Woodbridge Walk-In Urgent Care in Irvine, Fountain Valley Urgent Care, or Costa Mesa Urgent Care, CA. We will help ease your symptoms quickly with a treatment that is unique to your needs.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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