Summer flu – Med-Healths

Summer flu is a common cold that occurs during the summer months. The disease manifests itself with cough, runny nose and other cold symptoms. It usually only lasts a few days and heals on its own. Patients are advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Home remedies, painkillers and lozenges, which are freely available in pharmacies, are suitable for supportive treatment. Medical treatment is usually not required.

Index

What is summer flu?

Normally, a cold (flu-like infection) occurs more in the winter months. But cold symptoms can also occur in summer, in which case one often speaks colloquially of summer flu. The real flu , which is triggered by influenza viruses, must be
distinguished from this . It is often accompanied by an abrupt onset of high fever, headache and body aches, and a strong feeling of illness. Influenza occurs particularly in the winter months. A vaccination is available for vulnerable people and people over 60, which must be repeated every year.

Causes of summer flu

Summer flu is caused by various enteroviruses . The viruses trigger an inflammatory reaction in the mucous membranes, leading to a swollen nose and a hoarse voice. The pathogens can be transmitted as a smear or droplet infection.

In the case of a smear infection , the viruses excreted from the intestine are transmitted by touching hands or shared surfaces. As soon as the hands are then put in the mouth, infection can occur.
A droplet infection occurs when tiny air particles containing the virus are inhaled by the other person. There is an increased risk of infection, especially when coughing or sneezing.

How does summer flu happen?

Various risk factors can lead to summer flu in the summer months. Cold air conditioners in combination with sweaty clothing often lead to hypothermia and thus to a weakening of the immune system. The dry air from the air conditioner also leads to dehydration of the mucous membranes in the nasopharynx. The natural protective barrier is disrupted and pathogens can be absorbed more easily.

Summer flu symptoms

Cough
Sniffles
Hoarseness with scratchy throat
Sore throat
headache and body aches
mild fever
chills
abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis of summer flu

In order to make the correct diagnosis, the doctor will ask you some questions about your symptoms. In most cases, the diagnosis of summer flu can already be made by describing the symptoms. This may be followed by a physical exam, examining the upper airways. If the doctor suspects another disease, a blood test and an X-ray examination may be indicated.

Duration of a summer flu

Summer flu is usually short-lived. It usually lasts a few days before the symptoms go away.

How can you protect yourself from summer flu?

To minimize the risk of infection, you should observe the following advice:

Try to protect yourself from cold drafts.
Set the air conditioning to a moderate setting. Avoid overly air-conditioned rooms.
If there are large temperature differences (e.g. when traveling by train), it is worth putting on a jacket or a light scarf.
Change your wet swimwear after jumping into the cold water.
Don’t stay in the sun for too long. Sunbathing for too long damages the skin and also weakens the immune system.
Make sure you drink enough. On hot days, the amount you drink can increase significantly and exceed the recommended amount of 2 liters. Iced drinks should be avoided.
Strengthen your immune system with regular physical activity, sufficient sleep and a balanced and healthy diet.
Avoid smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol.
Wash your hands regularly: after using the toilet, before preparing food and after you get home.
Stay away from sick people.

therapy for summer flu

As a rule, the summer flu must be cured in peace. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms.

Get some rest and call in sick if you can.
Drink enough liquid. Warm sage teas have an expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect.
Anesthetic or anti-inflammatory lozenges help with a sore throat.
Painkillers (ibuprofen, aspirin, paracetamol) can help with severe pain.
Saline inhalation clears mucus from the nose and ventilates the paranasal sinuses. Instructions for taking an inhalation bath can be found under the article Bronchitis .
Decongestant nasal sprays or decongestant drops should only be used for a short period of time. Alternatively, sea salt nasal sprays are available.
Gargling solutions help to disinfect the oral cavity.
The herbal medication Sinupret (composition of gentian root, cowslip blossoms, sorrel herb, elderflower and verbena) and preparations made from eucalyptus extracts can be used as home remedies.

When to seek help

In most cases, summer flu is harmless and does not require medical attention. However, you should contact a doctor if you experience the following symptoms:

You feel noticeably bad and develop a high fever .
You notice a dry cough that persists for a long time.
You have difficulty breathing and suffer from shortness of breath .
Symptoms do not resolve after three days .
You suffer from dizziness, nausea, vomiting and headaches after long exposure to the sun. This could be sunstroke .

How can Med-Healths help?

With the Med-Healths app you can contact a doctor and talk to him in detail about your symptoms. They can help you classify your symptoms and make the right diagnosis. They can also prescribe medication to help treat the summer cold. There is also the possibility that he will issue you with a certificate of incapacity for work. In the case of severe summer flu or other aspects, he can refer you to a suitable specialist.