Flu: Expert reveals differences between flu and common cold
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Colds are associated with winter and cold weather, but most people might have avoided the common cold last winter. Staying indoors for long periods of time and wearing face coverings when out in public has managed to keep colds away, but with restrictions easing up we might all catch colds. Can you still catch a cold in summer? Express.co.uk chatted to Kristoffer Ahlerup, Commercial Director of Enzymatic, the manufacturers of ColdZyme to find out everything you need to know about the common cold’s potential return.
Data from Public Health England (PHE) shows that the common cold has risen significantly since the start of the year, with people returning to in-person face
to face scenarios including school, work and socialising.
Constant hand washing and limited social contact resulted in a year of lower cases, but we can only expect a bigger increase as the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
Is there any evidence to prove this? Apparently so!
Is the common cold back?
The common cold is on the rise, as the UK returns to something closer to normality.
Mr Ahlerup from Enzymatic said: “Ironically, the common cold doesn’t feel common anymore.
“With the plans of complete normality returning from June 21 in the UK, no mask-wearing and no restrictions, it’s likely we will see viruses such as the common cold, RSV, norovirus and adenovirus pick back up as our resistance will be much lower due to the lack of exposure.
“As a result, the common cold and flu season is predicted to be worse than last year.”
The PHE data shows that the share of tests coming back positive for Rhinovirus – the main cause of the common cold – has risen significantly since the start of this year.
For children aged from five to 14, nearly 30 per cent of tests were positive at the beginning of April compared with none in late January and early February,
showing a link to the return of playgroups and schools.
Other parts of the world, such as Australia, have seen a surge in colds when restrictions were lifted and summer socialisation started to happen.
Can you catch a cold in summer?
You can absolutely catch a cold in summer, and this year it’s more likely than ever.
Mr Ahlerup said: “People think of the common cold in association with winter, but it’s something that can flare up all year round, especially this year.
“We shouldn’t overlook the chances of summer colds with the decrease in recent immunity against them and exposure to germs.
“The difference between last winter and this winter will also be something to watch as the everyday viruses re-emerge, typically more so
in the winter months.”
Pre pandemic, most of us would go to work as usual with a common cold… but this year colds seem more threatening.
Mr Ahlerup said: “If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how vital and important it is to wash your hands, protect yourself and others with hand sanitiser, wear a mask if exposed to potential germs and where possible, stay inside if you are feeling
unwell.
“There are also at-home and travel-friendly products such as ColdZyme that can help protect against a cold and ease the symptoms.”
it’s also possible we will see a change in work time off and more people will be taking days away from the office if they have a cold.
The expert added: “We have learnt to put our self-care and health first and have become very practised at working from home in the past year.”
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