Is Your Cold Actually COVID? What to Know as the Summer Surge Begins

“Right now, we’re experiencing a late summer spike in COVID cases that we’ve seen for a few years in a row — so it’s not unexpected,” says Wesley Long, MD, director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas.

Crowded indoor locations like airports, social gatherings, and time spent in air conditioning (which dries out nasal passages, increasing the risk of catching a respiratory virus) are not only favorable for spreading summer colds but also ideal for transmitting COVID-19.

Other factors that may be contributing to the seasonal spread include the emergence of more transmissible variants and the waning effects of vaccination, according to Dr. Long.

COVID Is Climbing Across the U.S., Data Reveals

“We may anticipate an upswing over the next few weeks before rates come back down as fall approaches,” says Shruti Gohil, MD, associate medical director in the division of epidemiology and infection prevention at UCI Health in Orange, California.

Hospitalizations and ER Visits Are Creeping Up but Remain Low

But even with these numbers climbing a bit, Dr. Gohil stresses that the current risk from COVID-19 remains relatively low; and the risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death is “extremely low.”

“Those at highest risk for severe disease continue to be older adults — especially those 65 and older — and people with underlying medical conditions or weakened immune systems,” she says.

Symptoms of COVID-19 and the Common Cold Can Be Hard to Tell Apart

Recognizing whether you have COVID-19 or a summer cold can be almost impossible.

“There aren’t a whole lot of distinguishing features between COVID and the common cold — or the flu, for that matter, which thankfully is not going around yet,” says Geeta Sood, MD, an an infectious diseases physician and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Congestion
• Fatigue
• Fever

In the past, some strains have also been linked to a loss of taste or smell, which is rarely a sign of the common cold. But Dr. Sood notes that this symptom is not seen as often as it once was.

Should You Get a COVID Test?

While cold-like symptoms may be a sign you actually have COVID-19, the only conclusive way to diagnose the virus is through testing.

Long says it’s particularly important to know whether or not you have COVID-19 if you are in a group that is vulnerable to complications from infections, like seniors.

But even if you’re basically healthy, by knowing your COVID status through testing, you may be more compelled to avoid contact with those likely to become critically ill.

For people at higher risk of severe COVID, Long notes that treatments for COVID-19 like Paxlovid, Veklury, and Lageviro can make a difference.

The key with these medications, though, is to start them early, within five to seven days of when symptoms first appear.

From a public health standpoint, reporting test results can also help determine if infection rates are climbing and identify where the virus may be spreading.

Preventive Measures, Especially for the Most Vulnerable

• Practice good hygiene, including thorough and regular hand-washing.
• Stay home when sick.
• Put distance between yourself and others.
• Avoid crowded, confined areas.
• Consider wearing a mask in settings where you may be close to others.
• Keep up with the latest COVID vaccinations to lower your risk of severe illness.

Should You Get Vaccinated Now?

“For most healthy people, given that the new COVID-19 vaccine is imminent, it seems reasonable to await the newest formulation,” says Gohil.

For some people, however, vaccination protection may be waning at this point, and those with weaker defenses in particular may want to consult with a physician and receive a booster shot now, advises Sood.

“For people who are particularly at high risk, it may be worth getting vaccinated now because it takes a week to two weeks for the vaccine to truly create a positive response to help prevent severe disease,” she says. “These vaccines are safe and effective, and you can still get the new formula when it becomes available later on.”