3 days ago
Do you have a summer cold or is it the new strain of Covid?
We associate colds and viruses with the winter, and for good reason. Illness spikes in the colder months because it's a time when we huddle indoors, creating the perfect environment for viruses to spread. Then there's the cold air, which dries out our airways and leaves us more vulnerable to catching bugs.
Why then are we still getting colds in the summer? The culprits: there are still bugs that can make you sniffily at this time of year, and there's also a new Covid strain beginning to spread in Britain. So, which could be making you unwell and, most importantly, what can you do to avoid it?
The NB.1.8.1 Covid strain is the latest that health officials are keeping their eyes on. It first emerged in China in January and the World Health Organization (WHO) began tracking it a fortnight ago because of some potentially worrying mutations that the variant carries.
'There is some early indication that it may be slightly better at evading immune responses and antibodies, but this is very early data,' explains Dr Lindsay Broadbent, assistant professor in virology at the University of Surrey.
However, the risk posed by NB.1.8.1 remains low, and there is no evidence that it causes a more severe illness or is drastically different to previous strains of the virus, she notes. 'People don't need to be overly concerned,' Dr Broadbent adds.
Latest weekly data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests there's been a slight uptick in Covid infections in recent weeks. Of patients tested by their GP, 5.2 per cent tested positive for Covid, up from 4.5 per cent the week before.
Since first being detected in the UK in January there have been 13 confirmed cases of NB.1.8.1, though 12 of these were recorded in April and May. For context, around 50 positive tests are currently being sequenced per week. This is when a throat or nose sample that tested positive for Covid is genetically sequenced to determine the variant behind the infection.
'NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date, but international data suggests that it is growing as a proportion of all Covid cases,' notes Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of the UKHSA.
'Based on the available information so far, however, there is no evidence to suggest that this variant causes more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against it.'
While there is typically a cyclical spike in colds in the winter, that doesn't mean they disappear in the warmer months.
In fact, some cold-causing viruses, such as parainfluenza virus Type 3 and enteroviruses (especially coxsackieviruses and echoviruses) are much more common in the summer, says Prof Fidelma Fitzpatrick, head of clinical microbiology at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and consultant microbiologist in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
Summer colds can also be caused by adenoviruses, which spread year-round but can have peaks in the summer, and rhinoviruses, which is the classic winter cold but is still around in the summer, she says.
'The risk of being exposed to a virus and getting sick depends on lots of factors including our behaviour, the environment and how common those viruses are at any given time,' Dr Broadbent explains.
As we enter the summer, people's social calendars tend to fill up with weddings, parties, festivals and holidays, meaning lots of mixing between different groups and generations that wouldn't be together otherwise, says Prof Fitzpatrick.
'There is often more socialising and travel during the summer months, this may mean we are in contact with a lot more people than usual,' Dr Broadbent confirms.
Adding to that is that activities that often come with summer festivities – alcohol, a lack of sleep and eating more processed foods – are known to weaken our immune system, making us less equipped to fight off these cold-causing bugs, Prof Fitzpatrick says. Additionally, air conditioning can dry out our nasal passages, which makes it easier for viruses to infect, she notes.
It's unclear whether summer colds are on the rise, as the specific viruses that cause them are not tracked. Latest UKHSA data suggests that parainfluenza cases decreased slightly in the week to June 1, though this reflects the trend for all four types of parainfluenza and only Type 3 is specifically linked with summer colds.
Covid continues to cause cold-like symptoms for most people.
'Most infected people have mild to moderate symptoms,' says Prof Fitzpatrick. These include a runny nose, sore throat, congestion, a mild cough, tiredness and headaches.
However, people with underlying health conditions face a higher risk of developing more serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, and the illness lasting for longer.
It's impossible to know from the symptoms alone whether you have Covid or a summer cold, as the latter also causes a runny nose, low energy, muscle aches, a cough, headache and sore throat, Prof Fitzpatrick says.
However, Covid tests are available from pharmacies with prices starting around £2, which can indicate if that virus is to blame. While there are no Covid restrictions in place, official advice recommends trying to stay at home if you catch the virus.
Short of isolating yourself at home, there's unfortunately no magic bullet that will guarantee that you won't catch a virus this summer.
'Tips for avoiding summer colds are the same advice as any time of the year,' says Dr Broadbent. 'Try to maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene, including washing your hands and using tissues,' she says.
Prof Fitzpatrick recommends staying hydrated and avoiding excess alcohol, which can dehydrate you and impair your immunity, as well as using sanitising wipes on aeroplane trays, gym equipment and other communal surfaces.
Supporting your immune system by sleeping well, eating a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean protein and watching your stress levels can all help to reduce the risk of catching a bug in the first place, she says.
Other ways to stave off a cold include drinking lots of fluids and making sure you are topped up on vitamin D, which supports a healthy immune system.
'If you do get a summer cold, it is best to avoid close contact with anyone that may be more at risk of severe disease, such as babies and young children, older adults and people that have underlying conditions like lung disease or heart disease,' Dr Broadbent adds.
Most people recover from a Covid infections and summer colds at home with a combination of rest, staying hydrated and taking over-the-counter medications, such as paracetamol, to manage symptoms like a fever, headache and muscle aches, Prof Fitzpatrick says. Decongestants can also be helpful to reduce nasal congestion, while lozenges can ease a sore throat, she notes.
Antibiotics won't help with recovery from a Covid infection or cold, as 'there is no role for antibiotics' in viral infections, she explains.
'If a person's symptoms get worse, however, and they develop trouble breathing, they should contact their doctor for advice,' Prof Fitzpatrick says. Chest pain and confusion are also signs that a patient should seek medical help.
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