5 Ways to Avoid a Summer Cold This Year

When most of us think of the common cold, we think of the fall and winter when cold viruses tend to be more active. Thanks to Hawaii’s warmer climate, colds can happen at any time — even during the height of the summer season.

Offering island-wide care from five office locations, our skilled team at Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy specializes in patient-centered care for summer colds, helping you recover quickly so you can get back to enjoying vacation time fun with friends and family. 

Here, we explore five simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of catching a cold this summer season — and all year long.

1. Wash your hands

Hand hygiene plays a critical role in preventing colds and other illnesses. That’s because it’s all too easy to pick up germs from surfaces and transmit them to your mouth, eyes, and face. 

Be sure to wash your hands frequently, especially after using public restrooms and before eating meals or snacks. Be aware of other surfaces that contain lots of germs, like door knobs and handrails. Avoid touching your face and eyes if possible to prevent inadvertently infecting yourself with the cold virus and other infectious pathogens.

2. Be careful in social gatherings

Summer is traditionally a time of family gatherings and group activities at the beach or other outdoor locations. Being in close quarters with others dramatically increases the risk of catching a cold from someone else. 

While you don’t need to avoid these activities entirely, you should practice social distancing with anyone exhibiting cold symptoms — and if you wind up developing a cold yourself, do others a big favor and stay home until you’re feeling better.

3. Make hydration a priority

Staying hydrated is important for overall health and wellness, but during the summer, dehydration becomes more of a risk. That’s because many of us spend time outdoors when it’s hot, as well as in air-conditioned environments where the air can be exceptionally dry. 

Carry a water bottle with you to make it easy to stay hydrated, and avoid too much caffeine or alcohol, which can actually lead to dehydration. If you’re not crazy about plain water, consider adding some lemon, lime, watermelon, or cucumber to your water bottle for a splash of flavor.

4. Pamper your immune system

Staying hydrated helps your immune system stay healthy, too, but that’s not all you can do to boost immunity against cold germs. Focus on eating a healthy diet full of seasonal fruits and vegetables and add immune-boosting foods like ginger, garlic, and yogurt with live cultures. 

Get plenty of sleep, engage in daily exercise, and work some stress management activities into your daily routine, too — your immune system will thank you by working better on your behalf. 

5. Carry hand sanitizer when traveling

Handwashing facilities aren’t always available when you’re out and about. Carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer helps you get rid of germs that can cause contamination when you eat or touch your eyes or face.

You can also use hand sanitizer to disinfect surfaces. Take a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer or some sanitizing wipes during air, boat, or train travel to disinfect eating trays, bathroom surfaces, seat components, and TV controls, as well as the remote control in your hotel room.

There’s no cure for the common cold, but there are treatments that can help you feel better faster. To find relief for your summer cold symptoms, book an appointment online or over the phone with Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, Hawaii, today.