Summer flu
Updated onRicarda Schwarz studied medicine in Würzburg, where she also completed her doctorate.After a wide range of tasks in practical medical training (PJ) in Flensburg, Hamburg and New Zealand, she is now working in neuroradiology and radiology at the Tübingen University Hospital.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.The summer flu is caused by so-called enteroviruses and occurs mainly in summer and early autumn. Its symptoms are similar to those of a cold and are therefore not as pronounced as those of "real" flu. As a rule, summer flu heals after a few days. Drug therapy is usually not necessary. Read everything you need to know about the summer flu here.
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. J10J06J11
Summer flu: description
Summer flu is caused by so-called enteroviruses (more precisely, by the subgroup of the Coxsackie viruses). The pathogens that are widespread worldwide multiply in the human intestine and are therefore excreted with the stool.
Enteroviruses are therefore - unlike the pathogens causing most colds and influenza - often passed on via smear infection: pathogens excreted in the stool can be transmitted with a handshake if the hygiene is poor. One seldom becomes infected by inhaling droplets of secretion containing virus, which an infected person releases into the environment when they cough, sneeze or speak (droplet infection). After infection, it takes seven to 14 days for the disease to break out (incubation period).
In addition to the summer flu, enteroviruses can cause other diseases - for example hand, foot and mouth disease, a form of meningitis (aseptic meningitis), a form of tonsillitis (herpangina) as well as inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and pneumonia.
Summer flu: symptoms
The disease occurs mainly in the warmer seasons, especially in summer. However, "flu" symptoms do not have to occur with every infection. Even people who appear healthy outwardly can carry the virus and excrete it over several weeks (asymptomatic infection).
It manifests itself in the form of a cold. Symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, pain in the limbs and headaches, and inflammation of the airways are quite common. Sometimes the lymph nodes in the face and neck area swell. Abdominal pain and diarrhea can also occur. The disease is usually mild and is overcome after a few days.
In people with a weakened immune system (for example due to cancer therapy) and in newborns, however, summer flu can be associated with complications. Meningitis and heart valve inflammation are particularly feared. These clinical pictures are often fatal.
Summer flu in children
Younger people get the summer flu more often than adults. In children, however, the disease is usually harmless. The viruses can be transmitted quickly in kindergartens and day-care centers, as hand hygiene is often poor and the little ones like to put objects in their mouths that can be contaminated with pathogens.
Summer flu: what to do?
In most cases, the summer flu is a harmless disease. Those affected should take it easy and drink enough fluids. Calf wraps and, if necessary, paracetamol can lower the fever. The symptoms should subside after three days, otherwise a doctor's visit is advisable.
An infection with enteroviruses can be detected by detecting the pathogen in a stool sample or a throat swab.
Prevent summer flu
Summer flu viruses are mainly transmitted when the hygiene conditions are poor. It is therefore important to wash your hands with soap after using the toilet.
Air conditioning systems are also unfavorable - they increase the risk of contracting enteroviruses via droplet infection.
Regular exercise in the fresh air and a healthy, balanced diet (fruit, vegetables, whole grain products) can strengthen the immune system against infection with the pathogens of the summer flu.
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