Key takeaways:
A summer cold is often no different from a cold at any other time of the year.
Many of the viruses that cause the common cold circulate year-round.
Summer cold symptoms are usually the same too. They can include cough, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat. Sometimes, a summer cold can come with additional symptoms like fever or diarrhea.
Allergies can seem like a summer cold. But allergies are more likely to cause itchy nose and watery eyes than a cold.
If you get sick with a cold during the summer, it might catch you by surprise. It turns out those rays of sunshine can’t protect you from the pesky viruses that cause the common cold. Although colds are more common in winter, you can catch one at any time of the year.
But is a summer cold different from a winter cold? And if so, how?
What is a summer cold?
Summer colds are mostly the same as winter colds. But colds are less common in the summer. One reason is that viruses spread more easily in colder weather. And when the temperatures drop, it might be harder for your body’s immune system to fight off an infection.
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When you do get sick in the summer, you’re often fighting off the very same viruses that circulate in the winter.
Viruses that cause summer colds
Some viruses that tend to spread year-round include:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
These viruses can cause the same types of symptoms you might experience with a winter cold.
One group of viruses — known as enteroviruses — are the exception to this rule. Unlike most respiratory viruses, they peak in the summer and fall. They’re still less common than the common cold. But when they circulate, they can cause a slightly different pattern of illness. In addition to typical cold symptoms, enteroviruses are more likely to cause “stomach flu” symptoms that aren’t as common with a regular cold.
What are summer cold symptoms?
If you catch a virus that circulates year-round, then your summer cold symptoms will feel no different from a typical winter cold.
Your symptoms may be mild and nothing more than a pesky annoyance as you go about your day. Or they might be so bothersome that it’s hard to keep up with your regular activities.
Common cold symptoms
Common cold symptoms include:
Cough
Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Sneezing
Sore throat
Fever
Enterovirus symptoms
If your summer cold is caused by enterovirus, you may be more likely to develop these other symptoms in addition to your cough and cold:
Fever
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Not everyone will have the same symptoms. So not all colds will look the same, whatever the season you’re in.
How long does a summer cold last?
Most summer colds last about the same as a winter cold: about 7 to 10 days. But sometimes symptoms can linger for as long as 3 weeks. If you have lingering symptoms, it may help to know that most people start to feel better after the peak in symptoms, which happens in the first 1 to 3 days of an illness.
How to tell if it’s a summer cold or allergies
It can be hard to tell the difference between cold symptoms and allergies, especially in the summertime. Both can cause a runny nose, cough, and sore throat, as well as a feeling of being run-down.
But there are a few signs that your symptoms are more likely due to allergies. If allergies are causing your symptoms, you’re more likely to have:
An itchy nose or itchy throat
Watery, irritated eyes
Symptoms that last longer than 2 to 3 weeks
How to tell if it’s a summer cold or COVID
It can be hard to tell the difference between a summer cold and COVID based on symptoms alone. Both a cold and COVID can cause a runny nose, sore throat, cough, or fever.
If you have COVID, though, you’re more likely to experience:
Loss of taste or smell
Achy muscles
Fatigue
Trouble breathing
Keep in mind that other viruses can also affect your sense of taste or smell, so this symptom alone can’t make the diagnosis.
The best way to know if your summer cold symptoms are caused by COVID is by taking a COVID test.
How to treat a summer cold
If you find yourself fighting off a summer cold, you’ll likely want to get rid of it quickly so you can get back to your summer plans. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help yourself get over a cold fast.
You may help your body recover by:
Drinking tea and honey
Using a nasal saline rinse
Gargling with saltwater
Trying probiotics or zinc supplements
Using over-the-counter (OTC) medications
How to prevent summer colds
There’s no certain way to prevent a summer cold, but you can lower your chances of catching one by:
Frequently asked questions
Yes, summer colds are contagious, just like colds at any other time of year. You’re usually most contagious during the first 3 days of symptoms. But you can still spread the virus as long as you have symptoms.
You can get a cold during the summer because many of the viruses that cause colds in the winter circulate year-round. You can catch them the same way you do in winter — through respiratory droplets from someone who’s sick, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your face. Summer travel, crowded indoor spaces, and group settings can all increase your chance of exposure.
No, summer colds aren’t worse than winter colds. They’re usually caused by the same viruses and tend to have similar symptoms and severity. What might make them feel worse is that they’re often unexpected. Getting sick in the summer can feel surprising and more noticeable because it may disrupt travel and social plans when you don’t expect it.
Yes, summer colds are contagious, just like colds at any other time of year. You’re usually most contagious during the first 3 days of symptoms. But you can still spread the virus as long as you have symptoms.
You can get a cold during the summer because many of the viruses that cause colds in the winter circulate year-round. You can catch them the same way you do in winter — through respiratory droplets from someone who’s sick, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your face. Summer travel, crowded indoor spaces, and group settings can all increase your chance of exposure.
No, summer colds aren’t worse than winter colds. They’re usually caused by the same viruses and tend to have similar symptoms and severity. What might make them feel worse is that they’re often unexpected. Getting sick in the summer can feel surprising and more noticeable because it may disrupt travel and social plans when you don’t expect it.
The bottom line
A summer cold is just a regular cold that shows up in a different season. Most people will have classic cold symptoms like cough, congestion, and runny nose. Sometimes, enteroviruses can also bring fever or stomach symptoms like diarrhea, which are less common with typical winter colds. It can be tricky to tell apart a cold from allergies or COVID-19, but a few key clues can help you sort it out. The good news is that most summer colds get better within 7 to 10 days, and supportive care can help you feel better while your body recovers.
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References
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King, S., et al. (2014). Effectiveness of probiotics on the duration of illness in healthy children and adults who develop common acute respiratory infectious conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The British Journal of Nutrition.
Messacar, K. (2024). Overview of enterovirus infections. Merck Manual.
Moriyama, M., et al. (2020). Seasonality of respiratory viral infections. Annual Review of Virology.
Nault, D., et al. (2024). Zinc for prevention and treatment of the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
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Prather, A. A., et al. (2015). Behaviorally assessed sleep and susceptibility to the common cold. Sleep.
Shaw Stewart, P. D., et al. (2022). Temperature dependent viral tropism: Understanding viral seasonality and pathogenicity as applied to the avoidance and treatment of endemic viral respiratory illnesses. Reviews in Medical Virology.
