Summer flu with cough: When summer brings more than just sunshine
There are some things we would prefer to leave behind during the cold season—especially coughs, colds, and hoarseness. But even when the sun is shining and temperatures are warm, we can still catch the classic summer flu. Instead of swimming in the lake and barbecuing in the evening, we suddenly find ourselves drinking tea and resting in bed.
What is summer flu?
The sun is shining outside, temperatures are rising, and perhaps you even have a long-awaited vacation coming up. We simply want to enjoy the warm season to the fullest. However, summer flu can quickly dampen the summery mood. But this actually has little to do with real flu—it is more of a flu-like infection that can occur during the summer months.
Just like us humans, there are specific types of viruses that thrive in the warm season. Summer flu is caused in particular by enteroviruses, coxsackieviruses, and echoviruses, which are adapted to summer temperatures. Similar to a cold, they make themselves “comfortable” in our bodies via droplet infection—in other words, they are transmitted when we talk, sneeze, breathe, or cough. In addition, summer flu can also be contracted through smear infection. The viruses are then excreted by an infected person and can enter the mouth or nose of another person via contaminated hands, surfaces, or objects
Summer flu: these are the symptoms
The symptoms of summer flu are similar to those of a classic cold. Typical symptoms include headache and aching limbs, general weakness, sore throat, runny nose, or mild fever. Coughing is also a common symptom, which often starts as a dry cough and can become more productive as it progresses. Depending on which viruses are responsible for the summer flu, gastrointestinal complaints such as abdominal pain or diarrhea may also occur.
Coughs, colds, and more: Why we get sick in the summer
A summer cold isn't exactly on anyone's summer bucket list. And yet, sometimes it catches up with us—right in the middle of the warm season. Typical summer habits are partly to blame: when we get too warm, we turn on the air conditioning or fan, which dries out our mucous membranes, making it easier for viruses to take hold. The constant change between hot outside air and cooled indoor spaces also affects our respiratory tract, making it more sensitive to irritants and more susceptible to infections. No wonder, then, that coughs are often particularly persistent with summer flu. Traveling or being in large crowds—such as on trains, planes, or at festivals—also increases the risk of contracting viral pathogens. Combined with stress, lack of sleep, or excessive sun exposure, viruses find ideal conditions.
Preventing coughs in summer – how to protect your respiratory tract
Coughs are particularly common in connection with summer flu. Unfortunately, we cannot switch our immune system to “summer mode” – but with a few targeted measures, we can effectively protect our respiratory tract:
1. Use air conditioning and fans wisely: Do not set them too cold and avoid direct drafts on your body or face – otherwise your mucous membranes will dry out and become more susceptible to irritation.
2. Drink plenty of fluids: This is always important in summer, but especially essential when the air is dry due to air conditioning or when traveling. Adequate fluid intake keeps the mucous membranes moist and helps prevent coughing.
3. Care for your mucous membranes: Moisturizing nasal sprays with saline solutions or inhalations with saline solution moisturize the mucous membranes. This not only protects against colds, but can also prevent coughing – because dry or irritated nasal mucous membranes allow pathogens to penetrate deeper into the respiratory tract.
4. Protect your throat and chest: Even if it's warm outside, a light scarf can help keep cool drafts away from your sensitive throat in air-conditioned rooms, trains, or airplanes.
5. Prepare a first-aid kit: If you do happen to get a cough while on vacation, it's good to be prepared. For example, Prospan® cough liquids in stick packs are particularly practical for traveling.
What helps with summer flu
If you were looking forward to sunshine, leisure time, and maybe even a vacation, summer flu is doubly unpleasant. This makes it all the more important to take good care of yourself. Even though it can be difficult in the warm weather, your body needs rest above all else to recover quickly. Drinking enough fluids—preferably water or unsweetened tea—also helps to keep the mucous membranes moist and promotes the alleviation of symptoms. Herbal cough remedies such as Prospan® with its special ivy extract EA 575 can help to relieve coughing. Otherwise, a balanced diet, fresh air, and a little patience are the best ways to ensure that the summer flu is soon over and you can enjoy the warm days again.
Fortunately, summer flu is usually mild. However, if the symptoms do not subside after a few days or become more severe, it is advisable to see a doctor.
