The flu is traditionally thought of as an illness that strikes in the fall and winter. But many people experience flu-like symptoms in the summer months.
The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. The virus causes seasonal epidemics of respiratory illness that occur during the fall and winter months.
Despite the seasonality of influenza activity, many people experience flu-like symptoms during the summer. Although the
Flu season is when influenza activity is highest. The incidence of influenza infection typically begins to increase in October and peaks in the winter months of December, January, or February.
It’s believed that the seasonal nature of influenza may be due to the colder, drier climate that’s present during the winter months. During this time, the virus may be more stable.
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Another factor that may contribute to influenza peaking in the winter could be the fact that people spend more time indoors. This makes them more likely to share an enclosed space with individuals who have the virus.
Additionally, lower levels of vitamin D due to less exposure to sunlight could possibly contribute to an increased susceptibility to infection.
When you have the flu, symptoms typically come on suddenly. They can include:
- fever
- chills
- coughing or sneezing
- headache
- body aches and pains
- runny or congested nose
- sore throat
- fatigue
The symptoms of flu are also common symptoms of other illnesses. If you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms during the warmer months of the year, they may be due to another illness or condition.
Some possible conditions that may give you flu-like symptoms in the summer include:
Common cold
The common cold is another respiratory infection caused by a variety of viruses.
There’s a lot of overlap between the symptoms of the common cold and those of the flu, such as a runny nose or congestion, coughing or sneezing, and sore throat.
But unlike the flu, the symptoms of the common cold develop gradually and are most often less severe. There are other differences between a cold and flu as well.
Gastroenteritis
Although gastroenteritis is often referred to as the stomach flu, it’s not related to influenza. It’s often caused by a number of viruses, such as noroviruses or rotaviruses.
Common symptoms of gastroenteritis and flu include fever, headache, and body aches and pains.
In contrast to the flu, the symptoms of gastroenteritis are more focused around your gastrointestinal tract and may include watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of your lungs. While it can be a complication of the flu, there are also other causes. These include other viruses, bacteria, fungi, and certain chemical or environmental agents.
The common initial symptoms can be very similar to those of the flu and can include fever, chills, and headache.
Symptoms to look out for that can point specifically to pneumonia include cough with green or yellow mucus, shortness of breath, and sharp chest pain.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes in your lungs. Like pneumonia, bronchitis can sometimes be caused by the flu virus. However, it can also be caused by other viruses or environmental factors such as cigarette smoke.
Overlapping symptoms between the two conditions include cough, fever, chills, and fatigue or malaise.
Similar to pneumonia, symptoms to look out for that may indicate bronchitis include a cough with mucus, shortness of breath, and discomfort in your chest.
Food poisoning
You get food poisoning by consuming food that contains pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
Unlike with the flu, food poisoning symptoms are focused on your gastrointestinal tract and include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
You may notice symptoms shortly after consuming contaminated food, although they may take days or weeks to appear.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is caused by a type of bacteria that’s spread through the bite of a tick. If left untreated, it can cause serious complications.
The early symptoms of Lyme disease can be very similar to those of the flu and can include fever, chills, body aches and pains, and fatigue.
Most people with Lyme disease also have a characteristic bull’s-eye rash at the site of the tick bite. But the rash doesn’t occur in all people.
In some cases, Lyme disease has been
COVID-19
The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the flu in many ways. Like the flu, COVID-19 can cause fever and chills, cough, shortness of breath, headache, and vomiting. COVID-19 is not related to the flu, but is instead caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Diarrhea among adults is more common with COVID-19 than the flu. Another key difference is that COVID-19 symptoms may take longer to show up after exposure. Flu symptoms usually occur within 1–4 days whereas COVID-19 symptoms may occur any time between 2 and 14 days, according to the
COVID-19 tends to lead to more serious complications than flu, including death. If you start to experience what may seem to be flu symptoms, it’s a good idea to test yourself or get tested for COVID-19.
You should see your doctor for your flu-like symptoms if you’re experiencing any of the following:
- fever over 103°F (39.4°C)
- cough that includes yellow, green, or brown mucus
- shortness of breath
- pain in your chest, particularly when breathing in
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- rash
- persistent vomiting
- flu-like symptoms that begin to improve but then return and are worse
You should also seek immediate medical treatment if you’re at high risk for flu complications. High risk groups include people who:
- are under 5 years old (especially those who are under 2 years old)
- are 18 years old or younger and taking medications containing aspirin or salicylate
- are at least 65 years old
- are pregnant or have given birth in the past 2 weeks
- have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40
- have Native American (American Indian or Alaska Native) ancestry
- have a weakened immune system
- have a serious chronic condition, such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes
Although the influenza virus can circulate throughout the year, it’s most common during the winter months. If you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms during the summer months, it’s unlikely that you have the flu.
The best way to prevent getting sick over the summer months is to practice good health habits. This can include things like washing your hands frequently, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and avoiding people who are sick.
If you do have flu-like symptoms that become severe or are causing you concern, you should contact a doctor to discuss your symptoms.