Can you get the flu in the summer? Your guide to warm weather illnesses

The flu has its own dedicated season, so it can be confusing to feel a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and other symptoms when you should be on summer vacation.

If you have reason to believe you're coming down with the flu in the summer, you should also consider the possibility that it could instead be COVID-19 or another illness.

Distinguishing between them "can be tricky since they share similar symptoms like fever, cough and fatigue," Dr. Jordan Wagner tells USA TODAY. "Diagnostic testing, including rapid flu tests and COVID-19 tests, is probably an individual’s best bet to confirm the specific virus causing the illness. Consulting a health care professional is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management."

If you do find yourself with flu-like symptoms in the summertime, here's what experts want you to know:

Can you get the flu in the summer?

The short answer is yes.

"Contracting the flu during spring and summer is less common than during the fall and winter," Wagner says. But that doesn't mean the chances are zero.

Although flu season occurs during the colder months, seasonal influenza viruses are detected throughout the entire year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The public health agency also notes that "timing and duration of flu activity has been less predictable" since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More:COVID-19 is waning but these viruses are still hanging around in the spring

How do you treat the summer flu? 

The summer flu is treated the same as a flu caught at any other time of year, Wagner says.

Treatment "typically involves rest, hydration and over-the-counter medications to alleviate symptoms such as fever and body aches," he says. But he also recommends consulting a health care provider, "especially considering potential co-infections with seasonal viruses, to determine the most appropriate course of treatment."

Another reason to check in with a doctor: Influenza antiviral drugs may be a course of treatment, and those work best when taken early, "ideally no later than two days after your flu symptoms begin," per the CDC.

In the meantime, the CDC recommends you limit contact with other people as much as possible to prevent the flu from spreading further – stay home for at least 24 hours or until your symptoms are improving and you're fever-free without having to take medication.

When it comes to preventing the flu – as well as COVID-19, colds and other illnesses – health experts note that habits such as regular hand-washing, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and other good hygiene practices can "significantly reduce the risk of contracting and spreading illnesses," Wagner says. CDC guidelines recommend annual flu vaccines for everyone over the age of 6.

"Staying informed about public health recommendations and promptly seeking medical attention if experiencing symptoms of flu or COVID-19 are essential steps in mitigating the spread of these viruses," Wagner adds.