# I have the weirdest "summer cold"; is anyone else experiencing anything like this, or know someone who is? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 10, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859 "2023-09-10T01:15:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/21 "2023-09-11T14:49:25Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > > [@kitap](#): > > > > Is Valley Fever in your area? > > I don’t think so. It’s more of an Arizona and/or desert affliction, as far as I know. That’s an interesting idea, considering how it’s been Sonoran-level dry around here (no rain for months). Isn’t Valley Fever related to mice somehow? I haven’t been around any that I’m aware of. No, it’s a fungal.disease. > **[Coccidioidomycosis](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccidioidomycosis)** > > Coccidioidomycosis (/kɒkˌsɪdiɔɪdoʊmaɪˈkoʊsɪs/, kok-SID-ee-oy-doh-my-KOH-sis), commonly known as cocci, Valley fever, as well as California fever, desert rheumatism, or San Joaquin Valley fever, is a mammalian fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. Coccidioidomycosis is endemic in certain parts of the United States in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and northern Mexico. > C. immitis is a dimorphic saprophytic fungus that grows as a mycelium ... ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/22 "2023-09-11T15:18:59Z")
Anger is also a common reaction to inappropriate and insulting unsolicited advice based on an absurd interpretation of minimal information. Giving advice like that is also a sign of alcoholism. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/23 "2023-09-11T15:21:09Z")
Same here. I’m flying out to California and the past few days I’ve been trying to heal up a common cold-like feeling that has no particular reason to it. No symptoms of sneezing, runny nose or anything, just this malaise. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/24 "2023-09-11T15:24:19Z")
Moderating: Okay, that’s enough of the passive-aggressive attacks. I happen to agree that the initial post read likea concerned fellow doper sharing information. But the rest of the posts on the topic are not constructive, and are, at best, a hijack. Time to drop the subjects of “unsolicited advice” and vague suggestions that others are abusing alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/25 "2023-09-11T17:21:12Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Maybe it’s fear of getting COVID or RSV. > The ads are everywhere. > Some are pretty scary stuff. I’d be lying to say I wasn’t stressed about that. Last Winter was brutal, from November through March I got sick once approximately every ten days, including a nine day bout with noro, and now that I get prolonged asthma every time I get sick it means I’m sick for months on end. I did have RSV last November and there were points where I thought I needed to go to the ER because combined with the asthma I couldn’t breathe. So I’m not looking forward to that. Especially now that my son is not in one, but two schools, daycare and special ed, which just increases the odds of him bringing something home. What I think it might be is just exhaustion. Coughing constantly for days on end is really tiring and that can make people more vulnerable to anxiety. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/26 "2023-09-11T17:24:37Z")
Oh, boy. Things are getting interesting now. Without going into graphic details, I just found out that for the past few days, I have been taking two doses of one of my anti-anxiety medications each morning, and none of the other one. I’m a licensed pharmacist AND I SHOULD KNOW BETTER! Anyway, I got out the correct medication and took it, and time will tell if this helps. It still wouldn’t explain the periodic fevers. It’s possible that this was the effect of my illness, and not the cause of it. Mental acuity can definitely be compromised by illness. The stress I have experienced is rumination about things that happened to me decades ago that I couldn’t do anything about, then or now. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/27 "2023-09-11T17:51:23Z")
If your son is anything like the grand kids every virus available seeks them out and jumps on for the ride home. The granddaughters have been in public school but the grandsons(who live in my house) are in public school this year. To say I’m worried is an understatement. Crossed fingers. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/28 "2023-09-11T17:54:21Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > It’s possible that this was the effect of my illness, and not the cause of it. Mental acuity can definitely be compromised by illness. sounds likely. And good luck now that you’ve fixed your meds. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/29 "2023-09-11T21:40:44Z")
I spoke with my psychiatrist today and she said anxiety is actually a really common sign that your body is not getting enough oxygen. Which explains the asthma + anxiety connection I guess. And how a respiratory infection might be linked to anxiety. I’m starting to feel better and yesterday was the first night in weeks I fell asleep without meds. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/30 "2023-09-11T21:48:52Z")
I’m grateful I’m on a small dose of both meds. And my symptoms weren’t from that, because my condition is unchanged. One of them is notorious for terrible withdrawal symptoms, and while I’ve tried to go off it, I didn’t have them. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/31 "2023-09-11T21:53:21Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I spoke with my psychiatrist today and she said anxiety is actually a really common sign that your body is not getting enough oxygen. That also explains why one symptom of a heart attack is a sense of dread. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/32 "2023-09-11T21:57:55Z")
I should clarify that I didn’t have the withdrawal symptoms this time, or any other. I’ve been on it for about 25 years. ---
**Author:** ![raspberry\_hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/33 "2023-09-11T22:01:01Z")
Same! No anxiety here, but we have been having a weird summer (fall?) cold here where we’ve just been so exhausted and mentally just unable to focus very well for a couple of weeks. Malaise is a good word for it. I seriously started worrying about being hypothyroid but then finally started feeling a little less completely wrung out. 13-year-old kiddo’s exhausting cold also came with a 101-degree temperature spike that only lasted one day, which was weird, and then she had normal cold symptoms. I never had either a fever or sniffles, just the malaise. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/34 "2023-09-12T14:31:49Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > I apologise. You stated you had drunk “lots of beer” over “a few days” and suggested that you had eaten only “maybe a bag of chips”, leading to anxiety. > > Perhaps I could suggest you read [this informative website.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6876499/#:~:text=The%20greater%20the%20amounts%20of,also%20are%20likely%20to%20intensify) All you’ve done is to restate your reasons for posting, which makes your apology meaningless. I know what I said and I know what you assumed. I didn’t say I ate _only_ a bag of chips. I can see how you misunderstood that, but you added the word _only_ when you quoted my post, and you should have asked for clarification before insinuating that I’m an alcoholic. FYI, the anxiety I experienced was the result of an irritated stomach lining. It took a lot of time and trial and error to discover that, and I’d hoped to share it with the OP in case it was useful. Thank you @TriPolar for pointing out that @Grrr’s response is rude and inappropriate. He/She must have thought it was funny to pile on like that. I think an apology is in order, since the moderators aren’t going to do anything about it. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/35 "2023-09-12T14:39:29Z")
@alovem I have already apologised. I’m not sure if it is worth going into depth on this hijack, so I will leave it here. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/36 "2023-09-12T14:45:49Z")
Moderating: > [@alovem](#): > > All you’ve done is to restate your reasons for posting, which makes your apology meaningless. I know what I said and I know what you assumed. … Stop this hijack RIGHT NOW. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/37 "2023-09-14T01:24:12Z")
Am I allowed to give a health update? Anyway, I am FINALLY starting to feel better. The whooshing in my ears is gone, and I squatted earlier today and wasn’t afraid of sharting (which happened a couple times; again, that’s happened before). ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/38 "2023-09-14T17:18:40Z")
I’m so glad! I am feeling better too! Both my kid and my husband are sick so hopefully I don’t get the redux, but for now, I’m good. ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/39 "2023-09-15T01:18:07Z")
I’m halfway through a big bowl of hot and sour soup and I’m already feeling better. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859/40 "2023-09-15T01:28:28Z")
I’ve actually felt better this week til today. I was tons better after dialysis. Since they’ve changed my schedule I guess my body is adjusting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-the-weirdest-summer-cold-is-anyone-else-experiencing-anything-like-this-or-know-someone-who-is/989859.md?page=3)