New Yorkers face summer colds as weather continues to shift

From 90-degree humidity to freezing cold rain, the 2015 summer season is already sending New Yorkers – and their immune systems – into a frenzy.

Summer colds are a nasty side effect of the season, but with extreme variations of weather they only seem to be getting worse.

“It’s unusual how the weather is going from hot to cold, up to down,” said New Yorker Billy Vega as he walked under rainy skies in the Financial District Monday. Although Vega isn’t fazed by the rapid changes, he’s surrounded by people who are.

“I hear other people say, ‘Oh my god, it was sunny now it’s rainy!’ and they don’t know what to do,” said Vega.

While the weather itself doesn’t cause colds, being dressed for the wrong temperature makes your immune system more susceptible to catching a bug. Wearing shorts outside thinking it’ll be hot and humid only for the weather to suddenly turn cold and rainy puts your body at.

“I first got a cold when that huge dramatic shift in the weather happened,” said pedestrian Aslan Rolston, referring to the cold rain New Yorkers experienced two weeks ago. “I still have a cough, sore throat, and congestion. It’s intense.”

According to Everyday Health, the key to treating a summer cold is the same as fighting a winter one:

• Stay indoors and rest. It’s hard to resist the summer sunshine but the more you sleep the quicker you’ll get better.
• Drink plenty of fluids of the non-mimosa variety.
• Wash your hands often and keep some hand sanitizer with you. The subway is a summer cold’s germ spawning dream.
• Treat the symptoms. There is no cure for the common cold but you can alleviate your sore throat and stuffy nose by using the appropriate lozenges and decongestants.

New Yorkers may have to wait for relief as summer showers continue on throughout the week. For Rolston and her running nose this is unwelcome news.

“Summer colds are interesting,” said Rolston. “They’re awful.”