Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Make Us More Sensitive to Cold and Flu?

What are the chances that you, a loved one, or a coworker came down with a case of the sniffles at some point this summer? Pretty high, if Internet chatter is to be believed. 

And no, we’re not talking about COVID-19, but good, old-fashioned cold and flu symptoms instead. Just as the CDC cleared vaccinated individuals for group gatherings and larger-scale events, it seemed that runny noses and sore throats made their comeback, too. 

Is it as simple as, are group gatherings to blame for a higher transmission of germs? Or, did the months spent social distancing and wearing masks actually make our immune systems more sensitive to cold and flu germs?

Best Practices to Combat Cold and Flu, Then and Now 

• Proper hand washing
• Frequent sanitization and cleaning frequently touched surfaces
• Staying home [and keeping kids home] in case of illness to limit spread

When to Seek Medical Care

Cold and flu often don’t require a trip to the doctor. However, there are times when symptoms persist that you may want to reach out to your primary care physician. If you or your child experience a fever over 104 degrees F, continued congestion more than 10 days, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, and/or a cough that improves but returns or worsens, you should seek medical treatment.