Summer Colds: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Staff
By Staff
2 Min Read

Summer colds can start with symptoms similar to winter colds. But they may have additional symptoms, and some summer colds can lead to potentially serious complications.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an enterovirus summer cold may include:

Dr. Anderson adds that other possible symptoms include gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea and diarrhea, as well as a rash.

By comparison, if your cold is from a rhinovirus, your symptoms may not be as severe. Colds caused by a rhinovirus tend to have a slower onset, and they do not usually involve a fever, rash, or gastrointestinal symptoms, Herman says.

“While both rhinoviruses and enteroviruses can cause cold-like symptoms, rhinoviruses tend to stick to the basics — think of them as the ‘classic cold’ culprits,” Anderson says. “You’ll typically see a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, a mild cough, and occasionally a low-grade fever. These infections are usually mild and short-lived.”

Complications

Enteroviruses can lead to serious complications and issues, depending on the strain you may encounter.

For example, enterovirus D68 can cause severe respiratory issues. It can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, or even encephalitis (brain inflammation). People with asthma or a compromised immune system are most at risk.
Enterovirus D68 also can lead to a neurological disorder called acute flaccid myelitis, with children ages 7 and younger being most at risk.

Anderson says that the coxsackievirus types of enterovirus can also cause hand, foot, and mouth disease, with symptoms that include fatigue and muscle aches.

Serious infections coming from an enterovirus may require hospitalization. Contact a healthcare professional if you are concerned about your symptoms.

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