Dorothy FarrarSummer flu
Summer flu is colloquially referred to as a cold in the summer months – the majority of people are affected between June and August. Especially in air-conditioned places where many people meet (e.g. public institutions), infection with the summer flu virus often occurs.
What is summer flu?
Summer flu is a flu-like infection (cold), triggered by viruses that occur more frequently, especially in the summer months. Cough, runny nose, sore throat are the typical signs of a so-called summer flu. However, the summer flu should not be confused with the real flu.
In order to prevent summer flu, the body or the immune system can be strengthened with general immune-strengthening methods such as saunas, contrast showers, Kneipp showers and regular sports.
Causes
The summer flu is triggered by viruses, in rare cases a second infection with bacteria occurs. These pathogens can more easily enter the body if it is already weakened.
Thus, irritated and dry mucous membranes in the nose, ears as well as mouth and throat represent an ideal gateway for viruses, the risk of contracting the summer flu increases.
In addition, extreme temperature differences are a great burden on the immune system. If the warm, sweaty body is cooled too far by air conditioning, too cold drinks or open car windows, the mucous membranes increasingly dry out and lose their protective function. A droplet infection and consequently the summer flu is now much more likely.
So that no infection by people already ill with summer flu occurs, a thorough hand hygiene should be operated. Such a smear infection can also be avoided if infected door handles, computer keyboards or shared dishes are carefully cleaned of the summer flu viruses and disinfected regularly.
Symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of summer flu:
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
A summer flu manifests itself with the typical symptoms of a flu, also referred to as a flu-like infection. For example, a summer flu causes headaches and body aches, mild fever and sore throat as well as runny nose. Chills and cough are also possible. In addition, there is a general feeling of fatigue and powerlessness. In rare cases, summer flu occurs together with a gastrointestinal infection; diarrhoea and abdominal pain are added.
When to see a doctor?
Symptoms such as headache and body aches, hay fever and fever indicate a flu-like infection. Anyone who notices these complaints should consult their family doctor. This can determine whether it is a summer flu and initiate further measures if necessary. If this happens early, the disease can usually be treated well.
If other symptoms are added, such as chills, fatigue or weakness, this indicates a severe flu. It is best for patients to talk to their family doctor so that the disease can be treated early.
People with a weakened immune system are particularly susceptible to flu-like infections. Stress, an unhealthy diet and allergic pre-existing conditions are also risk factors that require rapid medical clarification. At the latest, when the symptoms significantly impair the well-being and a bedridden threatens, medical advice is required. Depending on the severity of the disease, specialists and internists can be consulted.
In the case of persistent complaints, a medical practitioner can also be consulted with the consent of the family doctor. Children must be taken to the pediatrician when the symptoms and complaints mentioned occur. If there are unusual symptoms during treatment, the doctor must be informed – there may be an allergy to the prescribed medication, which must be clarified.
Diagnosis
In the case of summer flu, a doctor should be consulted, especially if the symptoms last longer or are very severe. When talking to the patient, the treating doctor can often determine whether it really is summer flu based on the symptoms described, such as cough, runny nose, fever, diarrhea and vomiting . A physical examination will then take place. The doctor takes a look at the patient’s neck and throat to see if it is red and swollen. It is not uncommon for small white dots to be found on the tonsils. These are signs of a bacterial infection.
in the neck and swollen nasal mucous membranes also
complications
Anyone who doesn’t take summer flu seriously enough or procrastinates can experience a rude awakening. The most common flu-related complications include pneumonia and heart muscle inflammation. People with a preexisting condition, very young and old, die as a result of delayed summer flu.
Thanks to the concentrated occurrence of typical symptoms, there is actually no possibility of confusion with the flu. Real influenza is always a serious occurrence – even if those affected have been vaccinated against influenza. Existing pre-existing conditions such as diabetes , multiple sclerosis, COPD or cardiovascular diseases can greatly increase the risk of complications. The risks can also be increased in old age with an immune deficiency such as AIDS and chronic liver and kidney diseases.
Influenza viruses weaken the immune system sustainably. The immunodeficiency can persist for weeks after recovery. The massive multiplication of viruses also has a debilitating effect on the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory mucosa. The combination of these two factors favors secondary diseases such as . Influenza viruses can potentially settle in the heart, lungs, liver or brain and cause serious complications.
In the elderly, summer flu can lead to death, even with rapid treatment. In children, it can trigger painful middle ear infections and severe sinusitis. Further complications can occur after a summer flu as cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure, pulmonary edema or circulatory shock. Meningitis or brain inflammation were also observed.
Treatment and therapy
The classic treatment of summer flu is tailored to the individual symptoms. A combination of proven home remedies and over-the-counter products from the pharmacy is recommended. So-called combination preparations have proven to be of little help in the treatment of summer flu.
Products containing the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid are advisable for headaches, body aches and Fever. Those affected by a cold are best treated with vasoconstrictive Nose Drops and nasal rinses.
The latter are carried out with saline solutions. In order to open the upper respiratory tract and make breathing easier, a chamomile solution should also be inhaled several times a day.
Lozenges from the pharmacy help with a cough , and quark wraps also take the pain away. In addition, warm herbal teas should be drunk during the summer flu; Sage, peppermint, and chamomile contain anti-inflammatory compounds that speed healing.
If coughing and breathing difficulties also occur as part of the summer flu , eucalyptus and fennel can be used, either as a gargle solution or tea. Antibiotics do not work for a simple summer flu. If the symptoms of the summer flu do not subside after a few days, you should see your family doctor to rule out a more serious illness.
Prevention
To prevent summer flu, the body must not cool down. For example, air conditioning systems in offices or vehicles should not be set too cold. The rule of thumb is: no more than 5 degrees below the outside temperature.
Ice-cold drinks are also not advisable. A light pullover should always be packed for cooler evenings and in the office, and wet swimwear should be changed quickly after swimming.
Wet or sweaty clothes should be removed as soon as possible to avoid summer flu and replaced with dry clothes.
The immune system also weakens due to too intense sunlight, poor hygiene and an unhealthy, vitamin-poor diet. On hot days, it is essential to ensure sufficient hydration (no ice-cold drinks!).
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.