The common cold is one of the leading reasons for summer doctor visits

Coughing and sneezing are by no means unique to winter. Colds are a common occurrence in summer, and thousands of Almerians are waiting to be given medicine to relieve symptoms that could become severe. “There are catarrh clinics throughout the year,” said Miguel Molina García, a primary care physician in Almería who sees summer cold patients daily in his office and emergency department.

He explained that colds are “primarily” related to temperature changes, exactly as in winter, when people are more internalized that it’s cold season. “Our ambient temperature went from 20 degrees to 30 or 40 degrees,” he said, pointing to the fact that he usually gets sick during the hottest months of the year. Therefore, he pointed out that the way to prevent it is to avoid sudden changes from cold to hot and vice versa.

But once you get sick, there is nothing you can do except wait for the symptoms to improve. The doctor said: “Whether you go to the doctor or not, it will last for three to four days to seven days, but the symptoms may be prolonged.” The doctor said that patients are asked to wait patiently until the symptoms disappear, because this is very common for patients. People who cough or produce mucus that persists over time. “It can go on for a few more weeks,” he commented.

The professional from the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) also called on citizens to take “responsibility” to prevent the emergency from collapsing due to diseases that do not require treatment. “You know when symptoms are abnormal,” said Miguel Molina, recalling that the doctors on duty in the emergency room had to devote 100% of their energy to severe cases. “If we managed to treat a stroke or a heart attack after treating fifty colds, the capabilities are not the same,” he commented.

So, keep in mind that the first symptoms are usually throat discomfort, mucus, or body discomfort, which can be treated without a visit to a health center. If it gets worse, you should make an appointment with your GP, yes. He insisted that the last thing to do was to go to the emergency room. If you think they should, point out “that’s what they’re for”.

But in most cases, the first step is usually to go to the nearest pharmacy. Users arrive with cold symptoms such as sore throat or cough. “We noticed a rebound in August,” said the report from the Almeria College of Pharmacists. In these cases, an over-the-counter oropharyngeal treatment was initially prescribed.

mask and distance

Miguel Molina García made it clear to IDEAL ALMERÍA that colds spread “like any viral picture”. IDEAL ALMERÍA uses the example of covid-19, a virus that “has only recently emerged in the human population”, to explain what to do when symptoms appear. Therefore, it recommends the same precautions as for preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus: keeping your distance and wearing a mask if necessary.

In fact, some symptoms may be related to the spread of covid-19, for which there are specific tests. However, tests to detect this disorder are no longer performed unless risk factors are present in the patient in question. “We treat everyone like a cold,” he explained in this regard, assessing that “it doesn’t matter what last name we put in the box when we act the same.”