When you think of the common cold, it’s easy to picture yourself snuggled up in blankets while temperatures drop outside. The reality is that colds can occur at any time of the year, including the summer months. While there’s no sure way to avoid a summer cold altogether, you can take steps to lower your risk.
The expert team at Midwest Regional Health Services in Omaha, Nebraska, treats colds to help minimize your symptoms and bring you swifter relief.
Here’s a look at five practical ways to prevent a summer cold this year.
Any time you touch a surface that has been contaminated with a cold virus, due to things like someone touching or sneezing on it, you run the risk of catching a cold. Washing your hands thoroughly removes cold viruses from your skin, which prevents them from entering your body through your mouth, nose, and eyes.
Wet your hands in cold or warm water, then lather on soap and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Aim to do so especially before eating, after using public restrooms, and after shaking someone’s hand.
Because colds spread through contact and via air droplets, resulting from coughing, sneezing, and even laughing or talking, maintaining distance from anyone who has a cold helps prevent you from catching it. This is especially true indoors, where viruses can linger longer and closer to you.
If you end up in close quarters indoors with someone who has a cold, consider wearing a quality mask. N95 masks are most effective, followed by surgical masks.
Too little sleep can quadruple your chances of catching a cold. Sufficient restful sleep, 7-9 hours per night for most adults, strengthens the immune system. Sleep also helps you recover from a summer cold, should you catch one.
To improve your sleep quality, maintain fairly consistent sleeping and waking times, sleep in a dark, comfortable room, and avoid caffeine and digital devices before bed.
Nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, yogurt, nuts, and fish support strong immune system function. To stave off a summer cold, aim to eat more whole foods and fewer heavily processed, fried, and sugary ones.
Meanwhile, stay well hydrated. Dehydration is more common during hot summer months and can weaken your immune system. In addition to water, hydrating summertime options include fresh veggies and fruits, especially melons, iced herbal tea, gazpacho, and low-fat smoothies.
Washing your hands on the go can be challenging at times, so make it easy with a portable hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer, available in liquid or wipe form, can eliminate cold-causing germs on your hands and surfaces, such as remote controls, sports equipment, and countertops.
Look for a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol for the best results. To avoid skin dryness, consider a product that contains soothing ingredients, such as aloe.
To learn more about summer cold prevention or receive personalized primary care for you and your family, contact Midwest Regional Health Services today.
For severe upper respiratory symptoms and immediate needs, we recommend our urgent care services.
