Cold and Flu Info

What is a summer cold?

A summer cold is an illness caused by a virus infection located in the nose and leads to symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, fever, etc. which are a result of the body’s response to the infection. Does that sounds an awful lot like the winter cold? That’s because they are the same thing! The only difference is the season that it occurs in.

Why differentiate between summer and winter colds?

• Winter colds tend to occur more frequently, so when you get a summer cold you take notice.
• In the winter it’s easier to snuggle up in bed with some chicken soup and relax and recover. In the summer you want to be doing all your activities, going on vacation, and playing outdoors. So a cold can really get in your way.
• People often think winter weather causes more colds, so they are somewhat surprised when they catch a summer cold. This is a myth, there are other factors at play which lead to more colds in the winter.

Who is more likely to catch a summer cold?

• People traveling via commercial airplanes — Close contact with hundreds of potentially contaminated people can increase your likelihood of catching a cold. Also traveling to foreign countries can expose you to new viruses that your body isn’t immune to yet.
• People with allergies — The mucous lining of your nose has already been disrupted so it is predisposed to infection.
• People in an air conditioned environment — Air conditioning units cool the air and remove moisture from it as well. This dries out the protective mucus lining of the nose and keeps it cold. Both those conditions make it more likely to have a virus take hold.

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The Common Cold
There are over ONE BILLION colds and cases of the flu in the United States every year. The common cold is an illness caused by a virus infection located in the nose and leads to symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, fever, etc. which are a result of the body’s response to the infection. There are currently no known ways to cure a cold, we can only fight the symptoms using medicines such as antihistamines, decongestants, and cough suppressants. The common cold is spread by the cold virus being inserted into your nasal passages either through droplets of fluid, or from contaminated hands touching your nose. The best way to avoid getting a cold is to wash your hands frequently, avoiding touching your mouth and nose, and maintaining distance from people how are infected with the virus.

Influenza (the flu)
Each fall, you may hear advertisements or be told by your doctor to get a flu shot, especially if you fall into a high-risk group. The flu shot is similar to an immunization in that it injects you with a small amount of inactive influenza virus which is supposed to make your body more resistant to being exposed to that virus throughout the winter. Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can even lead to death. Influenza should not be confused with other illnesses such as avian flu, swine flu, canine flu, or pandemic flu.

This blog will be focusing on all aspects of the common cold and flu viruses from preventing or avoiding, to treating or managing.

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