As you go about your day this summer, you may notice a coworker with the sniffles or a person on the bus with a cough. Flu season is during the fall and winter, and while it is possible to catch the flu during the summer, this seems different. Most viruses die down during the summer months. So, is it the flu? Allergies? Or is it a summer cold?

What is a Summer Cold?

A summer cold is a cold that happens during the summer. But there is a slight difference between a summer and winter cold. Many viruses can cause a cold, including rhinoviruses, Enteroviruses, Coronaviruses, Adenoviruses, and Parainfluenza. Rhinoviruses are often the cause of winter colds. In the medical world, rhino can refer to the nose. Due to the colder temperatures, the nose has lower immune defenses¹, making it harder to fight off infections.

According to the Cleveland Clinic², “Enteroviruses are more likely to blame for your summer cold. Like rhinoviruses, enteroviruses affect your nose and throat, causing upper respiratory symptoms.” Enteroviruses occur in the nose and throat like rhinoviruses, but enteroviruses can upset your digestive system.

Summer vs Winter Colds

Since different viruses cause summer and winter colds, the symptoms can look different. Summer colds infect the tissues in your nose, throat, eyes, and digestive system. According to the National Institute of Health³, “Enteroviruses can cause a fever that comes on suddenly. Body temperatures may range from 101 to 104 °F. Enteroviruses can also cause mild respiratory symptoms, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues like nausea or vomiting.”

Summer Cold vs Summer Flu

Although winter months are considered flu season, it is still possible to get the flu during the summer. Flu symptoms are often more severe than cold symptoms. If you’re questioning what virus you have, check out the list below from GoodRx.

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Summer Cold vs Allergies

You may have allergies if you’re experiencing a runny nose, sore throat, and watery eyes. If your symptoms last longer than two weeks, it is likely allergies. Colds usually cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or an upset stomach, while allergies do not.

How AFSPA Can Help

See a doctor if you’re still sick and unsure what you have. If you aren’t feeling up to leaving the house, you can see a doctor using Telehealth. For Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) members living stateside, you can use Teladoc Health to schedule a telehealth appointment.

You can see the following specialties through Teladoc Health:

• Doctors of Medicine (MD)
• Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• Nutritionists
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Dermatologists

Teladoc Health is free to use, and there is no wait to be seen. No appointment is necessary, and your prescriptions can be sent to a pharmacy of your choice.

You can contact Teladoc Health by phone, web or through the Aetna Health mobile app and receive treatment within minutes for non-emergency medical needs.  For more information regarding telehealth consultations, please call 1-855-Teladoc (855-835-2362) or visit teladoc.com.

If you’re living overseas, you can use vHealth to schedule an appointment for General Medicine. The benefits of using vHealth are:

• Accessibility– Access to care anywhere, anytime, in over 100 countries
• Affordability – Zero cost, unlimited appointments
• Quality – Best-in-class primary care doctors

For more information on registering and scheduling an appointment with vHealth, click here.

Sources

1. Huang, Di et al. “Cold exposure impairs extracellular vesicle swarm-mediated nasal antiviral immunity.” The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology vol. 151,2 (2023): 509-525.e8. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2022.09.037
2. Clinic, Cleveland. “Summer Sniffles: Winter Isn’t the Only Time You Can Catch a Cold.” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 4 June 2024, health.clevelandclinic.org/summer-cold.
3. “Catching a Cold When It’s Warm.” NIH News in Health, newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/06/catching-cold-when-it-s-warm.