Summer Cold Symptoms: What’s Happening to Our Immune Systems?

If fall and winter make up cold and flu season, you may be wondering why everyone is catching serious colds this summer. There are a number of reasons why summer colds are hitting harder this year, but according to experts, pandemic restrictions play a role.  

Social distancing and masking requirements have helped protect against not only COVID, but all the common viruses that cause colds and flus. While last year, the result meant many people celebrated winter with low rates of cold and flu infections, this year, our immune systems are at high risk with increased gatherings and schools back in session. Without this regular exposure to infections and pathogens that may cause the common cold and flu, our immune systems are way less prepared to defend and protect against viral threats, summer cold risks, and the upcoming winter flu season. It’s more important than ever to protect our immune system and make our health a priority. If you’ve been feeling symptoms of the cold and flu this summer, here’s what to know and do to keep yourself healthy. 

There are over 200 types of viruses that can cause a cold infection, and certain types tend to thrive at different times of year. The most common and abundant types of cold viruses are rhinoviruses, which tend to thrive more in colder weather and winter months. These cold symptoms include runny nose, respiratory symptoms, body aches, and mild fever.  

In the summer, when temperatures or hot, humid, or damp, a different type of virus called non-polio enteroviruses tend to dominate and cause cold symptoms. Enteroviruses are the second most common type of cold virus, and while they share many of the same symptoms as rhinoviruses, there are other cold symptoms that can occur.

For example, for those experiencing summer colds, you may suffer with side effects including gut issues and digestion, more common compared to winter colds. Summer colds produce more digestive symptoms including nausea and vomiting, as well as a sudden fever, compared to the winter-dominant strains, sometimes making a summer cold feel more like a flu.^1,2

• Digestive upset including nausea and vomiting 
• Sudden fever 
• Runny nose 
• Cough 
• Nasal congestion 
• Sneezing 
• Sinus pressure 
• Sore throat 
• Fatigue 
• Headache and body aches 

Combined with the hot weather risks of dehydration and heat stroke, summer colds can be just as troublesome and long-lasting as those in the winter—while putting a serious damper on your vacation plans. While all age groups can be impacted, children and people with underactive immune systems are most at risk.

While it can be difficult to tell if you have a summer cold or summer allergies, allergies typically last longer and don’t often come with a fever or sweating. Common colds in the winter or summer are caused by viruses while allergies are our immune system’s overactive response to exposure to a pollen or plant. Symptoms can be similar, but if they do persist and continue to worsen, consult with your doctor, as your common cold may be the flu or a viral infection and could use extra medical care. Allergy symptoms can also mimic viral infection symptoms, so if they persist and you may have been exposed to someone who had COVID-19, it’s important to get tested and follow the CDC guidelines to protect yourself and others.  

If you are feeling common cold or flu symptoms, or want to protect your immune system against viral threats, it’s important to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and give your body the reset it needs to defend and protect itself. Water, herbal remedies, natural ingredients, and vitamin C are all natural home remedies that can help you heal and fight the common cold and flu symptoms. 

Regardless of the season, your immune system needs daily nourishment and balancing immune support to help keep you healthy and free of colds and other common viruses that can spread at any time of the year. Functional mushrooms are key for supporting your immune system and give you the foundation for optimal immune health.  

Functional mushrooms have been shown to train, fine-tune and balance immune system activity and optimize your defenses to keep you healthy against threats. This allows your body to maintain the essential immune responses that neither over-react (leading to allergies and autoimmune flare ups) nor underreact (leaving you vulnerable to catching every virus that goes around).³ 

Benefits of functional mushrooms include immune support, detoxification, and enhancing total-body wellness.  

With functional mushroom supplements, you can give your immune system the support it needs all year round. MycoPhyto is a researched, physician-formulated mushroom blend that features 6 powerful immune-training functional mushrooms for the ultimate immune support supplement. Grown on a potent blend of supportive herbs, this botanically-enhanced mushroom formula gives you intense immune benefits for powerful support against occasional cold and flu symptoms.*

Mycophyto's blend of six powerful medicinal mushroom varieties work together to upgrade your immunity:  

• Maitake 
• Reishi 
• Turkey tail 
• Cordyceps 
• Umbellatus 
• Agaricus 

Benefits of taking MycoPhyto mushroom supplement include:  

• Complete immune support* 
• Support against occasional cold and flu symptoms* 
• Enhanced energy and stamina* 
• Healthy cellular function*  
• Cardiovascular and respiratory support* 

With experts calling this the worst summer cold season in recent history, and viral infections still unknown, there’s never been a more important time to upgrade your immunity. 

Upgrade and optimize your immune system with MycoPhyto. With powerful functional mushroom support, your body will work smarter, not harder, so you can feel your best, regardless of threats. 

Sources:

1. Tapparel C, Junier T, Gerlach D, et al. New respiratory enterovirus and recombinant rhinoviruses among circulating picornaviruses. Emerg Infect Dis. 2009;15(5):719-726.
2. Everything you need to know about summer colds. Medical News Today website. Updated July 25, 2019. Accessed July 30, 2021.  
3. Zhao S, Gao Q, Rong C, et al. Immunomodulatory Effects of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Bioactive Immunoregulatory Products. J Fungi (Basel). 2020;6(4):269.