Cold & Flu Flu Can You Get the Flu in Summer? By Kristina Herndon, RN Updated on August 04, 2023 Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Flu Season Symptoms Other Causes See a Provider Treatment You can get the flu in summer, but it's not very common. The influenza virus is more active in the fall and winter in the United States. However, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, worldwide flu patterns have been less predictable. This has led to an unusual rise in summer flu cases. Still, a summertime upper respiratory infection is likely something other than influenza. COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Lyme disease, bronchitis, and pneumonia can cause flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, congestion, and fatigue. This article discusses summer flu and flu-like illnesses. It explains why you may get influenza in the summer and lists other illnesses that cause similar symptoms. It also provides tips for managing cold and flu symptoms in the summer heat. How the Flu Season Has Changed The influenza virus is always circulating in some part of the world. In the United States, flu season traditionally runs from October to April and peaks between December and February. In the Southern Hemisphere, influenza is typically active from May to September. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global flu patterns, making worldwide flu activity less predictable: The 2020-2021 flu season was exceptionally mild—somewhat expected due to social distancing and masking.The 2021-2022 flu season started mild but began to pick up in mid-2022 around the globe. U.S. flu rates peaked in April, which is very late in the season. Unusually high influenza rates continued through June.The 2022-2023 flu season started much earlier than usual in the Southern Hemisphere, and the U.S. followed a similar pattern. However, Mexico, which typically follows a similar flu pattern as the U.S., had unseasonably high flu activity as late as June.The 2023-2024 flu season started early again in the Southern Hemisphere, and experts are closely monitoring flu activity in the states. Only time will tell if flu seasons will return to standard pre-pandemic patterns. Until then, getting the flu in the summer will likely be more common than in the past. Cold and Flu Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Email Address Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Summer Flu Symptoms Symptoms of influenza are the same in the summer as they are in winter. They include: Fever or feeling feverishBody achesCoughHeadacheChillsExhaustion and fatigueCongestionVomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults) Flu symptoms typically last between three days and two weeks. People can be contagious the day before symptoms appear for up to a week. However, it's most contagious during the first three or four days of symptoms. If you suspect you have the flu, contact your healthcare provider. Prescription antiviral medications can shorten the duration of the flu. Symptoms of the Flu Other Summer Flu-Like Illnesses Flu-like symptoms in the summertime are often caused by something other than influenza. These flu-like illnesses can cause body aches, fever, headaches, and upper respiratory symptoms. The main difference between the flu and other viral respiratory infections is the onset of symptoms. Influenza symptoms tend to occur rapidly over the course of a few hours. Other respiratory infections, like the common cold, gradually build up over a few days. Other viruses or bacteria can cause flu-like summer illnesses. Mosquitos and ticks can also transmit infections with flu-like symptoms. Common Summer Infections Summer flu-like symptoms are most likely a viral or bacterial infection. Possible common causes include: Bronchitis COVID-19 Enteroviruses, such as coxsackievirus or rhinovirus (the common cold) Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) Mononucleosis Parainfluenza Pneumonia Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Strep throat Flu-Like Symptoms and Their Causes Insect-Borne Illnesses Flu-like symptoms in the summer can also be caused by a mosquito or tick bite. Insect- or vector-borne illnesses are often linked to specific regions. Let your healthcare provider know if you have flu-like symptoms and have recently traveled abroad or within the United States. Insect-borne illnesses that can cause flu-like symptoms include: Anaplasmosis Babesiosis Chikungunya virus Lyme disease Malaria Rocky Mountain spotted fever Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) West Nile virus Zika virus Your symptoms, along with your travel itinerary, can help your healthcare provider pinpoint a diagnosis. For example: High fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms with recent travel to Africa, Asia, or South or Central America could be malaria.A bull's-eye rash, fever, body aches, and other flu-like symptoms in New England or the Mid-Atlantic states could be Lyme disease.The same bull's-eye rash in Texas, however, could be the Lyme-like infection STARI, which also causes fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain.A high fever, headache, and vomiting in the Western, Southwestern, and Central states could be Rocky Mountain spotted fever. What to Do if You Get a Tick Bite When to See Your Healthcare Provider If you suspect you have influenza, contact your healthcare provider. Antiviral medications can help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms and may prevent serious complications. Antivirals must be started within the first two days of symptoms, so don't delay. The following factors may put you at higher risk of flu complications: Ages 5 and younger, especially those under age 2Ages 65 and older AsthmaChronic kidney diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)DiabetesHeart diseaseLiver or metabolic disordersNeurologic conditions, such as strokePregnancyWeak immune system If you or your child develops flu-like symptoms and are at high risk of complications, contact your healthcare provider for guidance right away. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin Other symptoms that should be evaluated by your healthcare provider include: A bull's-eye rashCough that is severe, persists longer than 10 days, or returns after clearing upEar pain that does not resolve with over-the-counter pain relieversFever of 103 F or higher in adults that lasts three daysFever of 102.2 F in children under 1 yearFever of 102.2 F that lasts longer than 24 hours in children under 2Fever of 102.2 F that lasts longer than two days in children older than 2Rash that is spreading or covers large parts of the bodySore throatSwollen glands When to Go to the ER Seek emergency medical care if you or a loved one has any of the following symptoms: Breathing difficulty or shortness of breathChest or abdominal pain or pressure that persistsConfusion or altered mental stateFever of 105 F that does not come down with medicationInability to arouse or lack of alertnessLack of urinationPersistent dizzinessSeizuresSevere headacheSevere muscle painSevere weakness or unsteadinessStiff neck with a fever Additional symptoms in children that warrant immediate medical care: Bluish lips or faceDehydrationFast or troubled breathing, such as ribs pulling in with each breathFever above 104 F in children 3 months or older or a rectal temperature of 100.5 F or higher in infants younger than 12 weeksUnable to speak, see, walk, or move What Is the Flu? Treating Summer Colds and Flu The summer heat and humidity can make cold and flu symptoms feel more miserable. While symptoms can be managed with the same remedies you would use at other times of the year, summer presents some unique challenges. Air Conditioning Finding a comfortable air temperature can be hard when you have a fever in the summer. If you have air conditioning, aim to set it just cool enough to keep you from sweating but not so cold it triggers chills. Shivering will raise your core body temperature, making a fever worse. Air conditioning will also remove the humidity from the air, which can dry out congested sinuses and make breathing difficult. It may help to run the humidifier while you sleep. Hydration Keeping hydrated will help relieve congestion. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Suck on ice pops or ice chips. Common go-to cold remedies like tea with honey and lemon or chicken broth may not be appealing in the heat. Try them at room temperature or cool instead. Electrolyte drinks, like Gatorade or Pedialyte, can also help keep you hydrated in the heat. To keep your sinuses hydrated, use a saline nasal spray, rinse, or Neti pot and run the humidifier. Medications Summer flu symptoms can often be managed with over-the-counter cold and flu treatments such as: AntihistaminesCough medicineDecongestantsFever reducersNasal spraysPain relievers In some cases, prescription medications may be needed. These may include: Antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection like strep throat, pneumonia, or Lyme disease Antimalarial drugs to treat malaria Antivirals to treat the flu or COVID Breathing treatments, such as a steroid inhaler or nebulizer Cough medicine to relieve bronchitis symptoms Other medications to manage symptoms or the underlying cause Summary Summer flu cases have been on the rise in recent years. Global flu patterns have become less predictable following the pandemic. As a result, more people get the flu in the summer than in years past. Still, flu symptoms in the summer are more likely to be something other than the flu. Bronchitis, the common cold, COVID, and other viruses can cause flu-like symptoms. You can also get a flu-like illness from mosquitoes and ticks, such as Lyme disease, malaria, or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If you suspect you have the flu, contact your healthcare provider for advice. People at high risk of flu complications may benefit from antiviral medications, which must be started within two days of symptom onset. Flu symptoms can feel more miserable in the summer heat. Drink extra fluid to stay hydrated. Air conditioning can help you to feel more comfortable. If you have a fever, set the A/C so it is cool enough to prevent sweating but not so cold you shiver. OTC cold and flu medications can help to relieve summer flu symptoms. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact your healthcare provider. Treatment Options for Influenza 17 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC tracks ongoing flu activity in the Southern Hemisphere. Lee SS, Viboud C, Petersen E. Understanding the rebound of influenza in the post COVID-19 pandemic period holds important clues for epidemiology and control. Int J Infect Dis. 2022;122:1002–4. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2022.08.002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2020-2021 Flu season summary. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021-2022 Flu season summary. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Weekly U.S. influenza surveillance report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key facts about influenza (flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mosquito-borne diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tickborne diseases of the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Malaria: frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lyme disease frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at higher risk of flu complications. American Academy of Family Physicians: FamilyDoctor.org. Deciding when to see a doctor. U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Fever. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu: What to do if you get sick. American Academy of Family Physicians: FamilyDoctor.org. When does my child need emergency services? University of Pennsylvania: Penn Medicine. Fever. By Kristina Herndon, RN Kristina Herndon, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. 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