How to get rid of a summer cold
We all know that it’s not unusual to catch a cold in the winter, but did you know there’s a chance you could come down with this illness in the summer months too? In this blog, we take a look at what a summer cold is exactly, as well as what you can do to overcome this illness.
What is a summer cold?
In a nutshell, a summer cold is simply a common cold that you’ve caught during the summer months. It’s often thought that a cold is caused by low temperatures or a certain season – but this isn’t strictly true. In fact, a cold is caused by the spread of viruses, and this can happen at any point during the year.
The tell-tale signs of a cold, regardless of what time of the year it is, can include a blocked or runny nose, headaches, a sore throat, muscle aches and pains, and sneezing. You might also experience a pressure feeling in your ears and face. If you have a cold, you may develop a cough, a high temperature and notice a difference in your taste of smell or taste[1]. While these are normal signs of the common cold, they are also linked to COVID-19 and the flu, making it harder for you to determine if you have ‘just a cold’ or something else.
As COVID-19 continues to spread, you might feel concerned if you start to feel unwell. If you have a raised temperature where you feel hot to the touch, a continuous cough or you lose your sense of smell or taste, you must get a test as soon as you can and self-isolate at home until you’ve received your results.
To significantly reduce your chances of catching a cold or COVID-19, you should wash your hands often with warm, soapy water, and use tissues whenever you need to cough or sneeze, making sure you dispose of the tissue in a bin immediately. If you’re out and about, you can also use anti-bacterial hand gel[2].
How do you treat a summer cold?
The good news is, you can treat a summer cold just like you would if you caught this illness during the winter. To find out how to overcome a summer cold, check out these useful tips below.
- Use effective remedies
To help relieve your symptoms, you should consider using painkillers to target aches and pains like paracetamol and ibuprofen, as well as remedies that focus on specific areas. For example, you could try Chloralieve Throat Lozenges to ease sore throats and decongestants for stuffy noses. However, if you want advice on choosing the correct treatment for you, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist[1].
- Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is key when you’re feeling under the weather – especially during the warmer summer months. Make sure you drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. You could also try sipping on fruit juice or squash diluted with water[1].
- Eat nourishing foods
Having a cold can make you feel weak and tired, so it’s important that you continue to eat healthy, nourishing foods, including lots of fruit and vegetables. You might even want to complement your diet with immune-boosting supplements while you feel unwell to look after yourself from the inside out[1].
- Get plenty of rest
When the sun is shining outside, it can be tempting to get up and about to make the most of it. However, if you’re suffering from a cold, you should be getting plenty of rest and sleep to give your immune system a chance to recover and ensure your body is strong enough to fight it off[1].
Resources:
[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/
[2] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-symptoms-and-what-to-do/
