Despite hot temperatures, you can become infected with so-called enteroviruses in summer. They are the cause of a summer flu.
Compared to the “real” flu, a summer flu is more like a cold or a flu-like infection that is triggered by so-called enteroviruses. They prefer warm temperatures and transmit the disease by smear infection. Here you can find out what symptoms are typical of summer flu and how you can distinguish them from a corona infection.
Summer flu 2023: five typical symptoms of the flu
Since influenza viruses are more sensitive to UV light, real influenza is very rare in summer. Summer flu, on the other hand, usually occurs in spring, summer, and early fall. The good news is that summer flu is much more harmless than real flu. This is because usually only the upper respiratory tract is infected. In addition, the symptoms typically only appear gradually. In contrast, influenza viruses – triggers of the real flu – infect the whole body. The symptoms usually appear suddenly and severely. In extreme cases, it can also be life-threatening.
The period between infection and the onset of the first symptoms, also known as the incubation period, usually lasts three to six days with summer flu. During this time, those affected are already contagious. Patients often complain of symptoms similar to those of a cold. However, in contrast to a cold in winter, the summer flu can make you feel more ill. The following signs are typical of summer flu:
- loss of appetite
- Fever
- Sore throat
- hoarseness
- Cough
- headache and body aches
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Sniffles
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This is how summer flu differs from Covid-19
Corona infections are usually less common in summer, but due to bad weather-related cinema visits, infections with the corona variant Eris have recently increased in Great Britain. A summer flu and an infection with the corona virus sometimes show the same symptoms. Covid-19 patients also often suffer from a cold, sore throat, headache and body aches, fever and dry cough. However, while fatigue and exhaustion only occasionally occur with a cold or summer flu, this sign occurs relatively frequently with a corona infection. Many of those affected also suffer from a loss of smell and taste. In addition, there are sometimes nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the lymph nodes or even apathy.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about clinical pictures.