We’ve all had them – those dreaded summer colds.
Who wants to be sick when the weather is so nice? And why is it that they always seem to strike just when it’s time for that long-awaited vacation?!
That alone can make us feel worse than if we get their wintertime counterparts. But there are some other differences in coming down with a warm-weather cold.
Common summer cold bug worse than simple sniffles
First, the bug that strikes in the summer – the enterovirus — is likely to be one that also hits you in the stomach, as well as causing aches and fever. And needing to make a bathroom dash while you’re out in the park with the kids or grandkids isn’t exactly what anyone would call fun.
Second, it can hang on considerably longer than a typical winter virus.
And all that air conditioning can make you more likely to come down with that kind of cold by constricting blood flow in your nose and throat. Plus if you suffer from any allergies you’ll be twice as miserable.
So what’s the best way to handle a summertime cold?
Just like being sick in the winter, make sure you’re drinking enough fluids and getting plenty of rest.
5 tips to help you tackle cold symptoms
Other things that may help include:
- Take some apple cider vinegar by adding a teaspoon to a glass of water
- Use a netti pot with a pinch of salt to flush out your sinuses.
- Eat more foods that are rich in vitamin C — like citrus fruits, broccoli, and red bell peppers.
- Try some garlic, curry, cayenne pepper and horseradish, which will act as a natural decongestant.
- Spice up your diet with ginger and turmeric, two natural anti-inflammatories that are packed with health benefits.
And aside from the fact a true cold (winter or summer) comes with a fever and muscle aches, there’s another easy way to tell it apart from seasonal allergies.
Allergies typically give you itchy, red eyes and last a whole lot longer than an average variety cold will.
Jenny Thompson is the Director of the Health Sciences Institute and editor of the HSI e-Alert. Through HSI, she and her team uncover important health information and expose ridiculous health misinformation, most notably through the HSI e-Alert.
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