As summer weather brings sweltering heat and hopes for outdoor fun, residents in Austin are facing an unexpected annoyance: respiratory infections, often dubbed “summer colds.”
Dr. Michael Stefanowicz, the associate chief medical officer at CommUnityCare Health Centers, noted that patients have been reporting these unusual symptoms, which include cough, runny nose, and sore throat.
This phenomenon has sparked discussions among locals on social media platforms, particularly on the Austin subreddit.
According to Dr. Stefanowicz, the rise in respiratory issues may stem from various infections that do not adhere to traditional seasonal patterns, including COVID-19.
“What this is, in fact, is likely a confluence of different kinds of infections that may have a seasonal pattern at times — yes, COVID being one of them,” he stated.
Dr. Tina Philip, a primary care doctor in Round Rock, has also observed an increase in sore throat cases recently. Though she reported positive tests for COVID-19 and some flu instances this summer, many patients are not testing positive for any specific illness.
Philip emphasized that numerous viral infections are circulating within the community, which could explain the surge in respiratory symptoms.
Historically, cold and flu outbreaks occur during fall and winter months. However, COVID-19’s erratic activity can peak during both hot and cold seasons, complicating traditional expectations.
Heather Cooks-Sinclair, chief epidemiologist for Austin Public Health, explained that public health professionals are still working to identify the seasonal trends related to COVID-19, which has only been monitored for a few years since its emergence in 2019.
“We’re talking really three years of data to really kind of get trends, and that’s just not enough information to really get a good feel for what our year-to-year trends are going to be for that disease,” she noted.
The rise in home testing for COVID-19 means that tracking positivity rates is less reliable now than in previous years.
However, monitoring the levels of the virus in local wastewater can provide a clearer picture of community spread. As of August 9, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported very high levels of COVID-19 in Texas wastewater, with particular locations in Travis and Hays County showing significant virus presence.
Contradictorily, the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute reported low COVID-19 levels in wastewater as of July 21, leading to an investigation by Austin Public Health into the discrepancies between these data sources.
Despite the CDC’s findings of high wastewater levels in Travis County, the agency also recorded low emergency room visits for COVID-19. Dr. Stefanowicz interprets this as a sign that the current virus strain tends to result in milder symptoms.
He further noted that there has not been a substantial rise in positive COVID tests at CommUnityCare clinics, which could indicate that community members are less likely to seek medical attention for mild symptoms.
“That’s not the whole picture,” Stefanowicz cautioned.
There is a prevailing trend where individuals may hesitate to seek treatment or conduct self-testing when experiencing mild respiratory symptoms.
Stefanowicz advised that those with COVID-like symptoms should consider self-testing or consulting a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis, particularly older adults or those with underlying health conditions.
Testing provides an opportunity to receive treatment that can mitigate the illness’s severity, and it encourages community members to take appropriate actions to prevent spreading any virus, such as wearing masks or staying home when feeling unwell.
Lastly, Dr. Stefanowicz urged individuals to discuss their COVID-19 vaccination status with their healthcare provider, especially if they have not received a shot in some time.
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