Aug. 4, 2019&mdash;It's hardly how you wanted your summer to go: It's August, and you're sniffling. Maybe your throat feels scratchy too. You swear it feels a lot like the start of a nasty cold. Wait, what? A cold? In summer? Yep, it happens. 
On average, adults get about two or three colds annually. And while most colds occur when it's, well, colder out, you can get them at any time of the year&mdash;even in the dog days of summer. 
Summer vs. cold-weather colds
Summer and winter colds tend to have different causes. During the regular cold season, colds are usually caused by rhinoviruses&mdash;the most common type of viral infection in humans, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.netreturns.biz/healthinfo/bouncelink.aspx?shortcut=nih">National Institutes of Health</a> reports. With summer colds, the usual suspects are non-polio enteroviruses, of which there are more than 60 types. 
While rhinoviruses thrive in colder weather, enteroviruses are more active in summer and early fall. Enteroviruses can infect a number of areas of the body, including your nose and throat (like regular cold bugs), as well as your digestive system. So along with sneezing, a sore throat and a runny nose, you might get a sudden fever, a headache, body aches and an upset stomach.
You can get an enterovirus infection through contact with someone who is infected, from touching a contaminated surface or through contact with the stool of an infected person&mdash;for instance, if you change a sick baby's diaper and forget to wash your hands.
How to treat a cold
You can't cure a cold. So you have to wait for the virus to run its course&mdash;typically a few days to a week. In the meantime, you may feel better if you drink plenty of fluids and get extra rest. You might also try: 
<ul>
 <li>Over-the-counter acetaminophen for a headache or a fever.</li>
 <li>A nasal spray or decongestant for a stuffy nose. </li>
 <li>Ice chips, throat sprays, lozenges or saltwater gargles for a sore throat. </li>
</ul>
How to avoid a cold
Although summer and winter colds are different, take the same steps to prevent them&mdash;and other infections&mdash;no matter what season it is:
<ul>
 <li>Wash your hands often. Scrub them with soap and water for about 20 seconds. (Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if no sink is available.) </li>
 <li>Keep your distance from sick people&mdash;especially if they have a fever (often a sign of infection). </li>
 <li>Don't touch your face with unwashed hands. </li>
 <li>Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, like doorknobs and toys. </li>
</ul>
<a href="https://demo.netreturns.biz/HealthInfo/Topic.aspx?TopicID=35b9091a-6611-4e7c-af58-d61b7903cff8">Visit our Colds health topic center</a> to learn more about staying healthy and easing cold symptoms.

How to cope with a summer cold

Colds in summer tend to be different from those in winter.