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Do you have a Summer Cold or Allergies?
Learn the difference between a summer cold and summer allergies to help you identify it, beat it, and get back to feeling better in no time! Dr. Reena Mehta explains summer colds, summer allergies, symptoms, and treatments.
“Dr. Mehta is my favorite allergist I’ve ever seen! Really comprehensive care and great attention to detail. Very friendly and compassionate, and spends a lot of time talking things through. She has helped me with allergy maintenance and flare ups, and my allergies feel much better controlled.“
– Maddie H, March 2020
Differences
Summer Cold
Summer Allergies
FAQ
What is a Summer Cold?
There are many hundred strains of rhinovirus that are responsible for causing the common cold. Catching a specific strain of rhinovirus virus will help you produce immunity to that one strain. However, people still catch colds several times in a year and throughout their lifetime due to infection with other viral strains.
Summer Cold Symptoms
Summer cold symptoms include a runny or congested nose, sneezing, sore throat, scratchy throat, and cough.
What are Summer Allergies?
Summer allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, affects many people of all ages in the United States. Allergies in the summer are caused by a reaction to airborne particles such as pollen. The particles can cause nasal, throat, lung, and eye reactions. In spring and summer, pollen from trees and grass causes allergic reactions that can worsen when you are outdoors.
Summer Allergy Symptoms
How long will it last?
A summer cold lasts three to seven days on average. However, some people may continue to have cold symptoms like congestion, cough, or sneezing for up to 14 days.
Summer allergies last longer than 2 weeks and can continue for an entire season.
Timing of Symptoms
Types of Symptoms
While summer colds and allergies can both cause symptoms like runny nose, congestion, and itchy throat, a severe cold can cause symptoms like sweats and fever.
Summer Allergy Symptoms
Summer Cold Treatment
There is no curative summer cold treatment. Existing treatments aim to relieve symptoms and are not able to shorten the duration of the cold or eliminate the cold altogether. For example, you can take over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications such as cough suppressants and nasal decongestants. A humidifier can help with congestion, cough, and sore throat. Because colds are caused by viruses and not bacteria, antibiotics are not useful.
Cold symptoms will resolve over time even without any treatment. Before taking any over-the-counter medicines, always consult with your doctor.
How to Avoid a Summer Cold
There are several measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of getting a cold in the summer:
• Wash your hands and limit your exposure to sick people – Colds can be transmitted from person to person and sometimes from touching contaminated surfaces with the virus.
• Boost your immune system – Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, stay hydrated, and avoid excessive activity or stress. These are all ways to make sure your immune system is functioning at its best in the event it must fight off a summer cold virus.
Summer Allergy Treatment
Treating summer allergies involves avoiding or reducing exposure to the allergens that trigger your reactions. For example, if you are allergic to pollen, staying indoors on days with high pollen counts can help with your allergy symptoms. Using air filters and showering after spending time outdoors can help remove continuous exposure to allergens.
There are also over-the-counter treatments. Saline sprays and rinses help wash away allergens from the nasal lining. Antihistamines can also help with itchiness and inflammation.
If your summer allergies are severe, you may want to consult with your allergist about other alternatives such as allergy shots.
Dr. Mehta discusses the summer allergy season in New Orleans and why it can be worse than other parts of the country.
How to Avoid Summer Allergies
Is it a summer cold or allergies?
Allergies are persistent and longer lasting. A summer cold typically lasts three to seven days. Colds can cause thick, greenish-yellowish mucus. Allergies cause thin, translucent mucus. Colds can cause fever or sweats.
Can you get a cold in the summer?
Yes, you can get a cold in the summer. Despite the fact that colds are more common in fall and winter, you can still get a cold in the middle of summer.
How to avoid a cold in summer?
How to cure a cold in the summer?
Can you have allergies in the summer?
Yes, allergies in the summer are caused by a reaction to airborne particles, such as pollen. In the summer, pollen from trees and grass causes allergic reactions.
Get Back to Feeling Better in New Orleans
Concerned that your summer cold might actually be allergies? It might be time to see a specialist. Dr. Mehta has a reputation for developing strong relationships with her patients and being exceptionally attentive to their needs and concerns.
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