Not just for winter: Summer colds
Being trapped inside with a cold during the summer isn’t the vacation you had in mind. But how can you have a cold when it’s not cold and flu season? Colds aren’t specific to the season. In fact, more than 200 different viruses can cause cold symptoms. The colds that affect us during the winter are typically caused by rhinoviruses, which skyrocket in September and decrease throughout the winter until May. On the other hand, enteroviruses are often the culprit for summer colds; the viruses cause an estimated 10 to 15 million illnesses each year.
Enteroviruses can cause fever, mild respiratory symptoms, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and nausea or vomiting. To protect yourself, wash your hands frequently and avoid exposure to people who are sick. Enteroviruses normally clear up after a few days without treatment, but talk to your doctor if symptoms persist or you have a high fever or a rash.