How to Prevent a Summer Cold

Many people find summer colds more bothersome than those occurring in the winter, and that’s not just due to their imagination – it’s actually the case, a top expert says.

“Most people associate catching a cold with winter weather. That’s true, but when you get one in the summer, you’re likely to feel worse,” Dr. Suman Golla tells Newsmax Health.

“Although colds are more common in winter there are plenty of ways to catch one during the summer.  People tend to be more active in during the summer months, which means they are out in the hot weather and then tend to get dehydrated. Dehydration weakens the immune system, which makes it more likely to come down with a cold,” says Golla, an associate professor of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

“In addition, people are more likely to suffer from allergies in the summer, so this layering on of symptoms makes them feel even worse.”

Even the type of cold virus that is more rampant in the summer makes it more likely to feel miserable,  says Golla.

“The main viruses that cause colds are the rhinovirus and the enterovirus. Although both are active in the summer the enterovirus is the predominate one,” she says.

While the rhinovirus tends to cause nasal symptoms, the enterovirus does this – and more. 

“The enterovirus is responsible not only for nasal symptoms, but also stomach distress, fever and body aches, so this makes people feel even worse,” notes Golla.

And, of course, summer colds can feel worse because no one wants to be sick when its nice outside.
 
“People spend all winter waiting to get outdoors, so the last thing they want is a summer cold,” she says.

Here are Golla’s tips for preventing a summer cold:

• Wash your hands frequently, just like you do to avoid a cold in the winter.
• Avoid people who are coughing and sneezing, and use hand sanitizers in the office, or the gym, to avoid picking up cold germs on doorknobs, shared computers, gym equipment, and communal shower facilities. 
• Stay hydrated. Drink a lot of water, especially when outdoors. Cold viruses love to cluster in dry, nasal passages.
• Eat healthy foods and get plenty of rest. These steps will help keep your immune system in top shape, and more able to fight off cold viruses.
• While it is a myth that the cool air from air conditioning gives you a cold, viruses can live in the equipment’s ducts, so steer clear of them. Likewise, don’t turn on the overhead vent in an airplane – no matter what season it is – because they can harbor viruses.

If you do catch a summer cold, these are Golla’s tips to deal with it:

Avoid caffeine. Drink plenty of fluids, and avoid caffeinated drinks because caffeine is dehydrating.

Boost your immune system. Do all the things you can to help your immune system, including eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and taking steps to ease stress.

Try a saline spray. To keep your nasal passages dry, use a saline nasal spray.  If you must use a nasal spray such as Afrin, do so for no more than three days to avoid a rebound effect.

Take mild painkillers. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen for body aches in favor of over-the-counter cold remedies.

Try allergy meds. If allergies are making your symptoms worse, treat them, but use Flonase fluticasone propionate) or Astelin (azelastine hydrochloride) instead of antihistimines such as Zyrtec cetirizine hydrochloride, Allegra (Fexofenadine)  and Claritin (loratadine,) as these tend to be drying.

Take zinc. Although studies are mixed on the cold-fighting benefits of zinc, the latest research suggests that if you take it in lozenge form on the first day it may help shorten the cold. Golla suggests zinc in lozenge form, instead of pills or nasal spray, because these have been linked to loss of the sense of smell.