Do We Actually Get Sick More in Winter?

Cold and flu season are in full swing. But why when the weather turns cold do we all seem to get sick? Laci has the answer.

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[kalpic]

I saw this mentioned on Dr. Oz. I always tell people, "You can't get a cold by being cold." And they always have to retort with, "Yes you do, that's why it's called a cold." Uggghhh.

[TahoeNevada]

I'm a preschool teacher & I wish every parent could see this!

[napillnik]

The body temperature does drop when in cold weather, that's called hypothermia. Not always of course, but it does anyway.
A VERY important factor would be weakened natural filtration systems (nose) during cold weather. When it's cold, the air can hold less water, but we warm the air up, and its relative humidity drops crazy. As a result we get air of mild temperature, but extremely dry, which dries our noses and larynx. As we know, the nose has 2 protecting functions: the hair traps some of the dust particles, and the mucus fights some of the viruses and bacteria. Well in dry mild-temperature air this protection disappears.

To reduce chances of getting sick:
1. Dress well, keep your torso warm enough so your limbs get worm by themselves. Cold limbs at room temperature mean that the body doesn't have enough heat, which means risk of hypothermia.
2. Ventilate. Even during winter, ventilate the room at least once per day.
3. Humidify.Keep the relative air humidity at around 50-70%. Use air humidifiers or if you can't afford one - evaporate (boil for a long period of time) a pot of water with a fan blowing horizontally above the pot to carry the vapors across the room. This will also make dust particles heavier and make them settle. Dust particles are good carriers of virus bodies.
4. Drink lots of liquids, avoid drinking lots of strong black tea, and avoid too much coffee.
5. Keep at least 1 meter distance from coworkers at all times, keep your hands away from your face, wash them often. If a coworker is sick, encourage him to stay at home, ask your boss to give him a paid leave, or else he's going to have low productivity all across the office. Or at least politely ask him to wear a mask. Don't wear one yourself - it will only be bad for you. It will stop the coworker from spreading the illness as far as he did before.
6. If you're using public transportation, it's best to avoid rush hours. Talk to your boss about variating work days (+1 hour in one day, -1h the next day, or something like that).
7. When there is an epidemic around, over-the-counter preventive antivirals can help avoid an infection. People around Russia successfully use IFN-α2b - based ointment applied inside the nose before appearing in risk areas (bus, subway). But my research shows that the rest of the world only use it as pills for fighting hepatitis. Hmmm. Whatever, you need to know this :)

[rubikfan]

and what about sun light. vitamine D makes your happy and healthy. in the winter people get less sun.

[TheWolfHowling]

Another reason why I think that is the lack of Sunlight. During winter, sunlight comes in at a lower, more indirect angle, making it more diffuse

[xXthisXguyXx]

I feel like Laci was just talking to me directly as I'm sitting hear in my basement with no other people and on the internet.

[markleyg]

I believe dry air is a factor also.  It dries out your mucus membranes making them more susceptable to contagions.

[whatever]

Wait, 86 degrees = no more flu virus transmission? BRB, let's keep everything at 86...

[BinkieMcFartnuggets]

You don't really get sick more in Winter it just seems that way because you're around relatives.

[Drdlock]

I knew that the cold didn't get you sick. One of my friends never wears anything in the winter. The most he wears s an unzipped windbreaker and a hat, all through the winter. And I live in Michigan, which gets below zero (Fahrenheit) in the winter! 

[TearsofTeal]

This explains why I haven't gotten sick for the past two winters.
I've been a complete hermit. Oh well, hello flu season...

On another note, I half expected this to be hard to listen to,
but she has a nice voice and good presence.

[brentbtv]

YES WE DO. Saved you 3 minutes of your life, thank me later.

[AbuJesus]

I thought the cold affects the immune system 

[kesmeby]

Other studies have linked the lower humidity as a major cause of winter illness for two reasons. Viruses travel through less humid air much more rapidly than humid air. Also, due to the lower humidity our nasal passages tend to be dryer thus allowing more pathogens through our natural defenses.

[Fizzyanims]

Theory 1 makes absolutely no sense. In modern society we are huddled inside equally as much during the winter and the summer. This might have been the case in the medieval era when this idea originated because in the summer Serfs are tending the crops while in the Winter, they are huddled inside in crammed apartments living with a extended family. I think it has to do more with the energy being wasted keeping us warm instead of strengthening the immune system. 

[superSTARgazer]

Some other things that  can contribute to fall/winter sickness are a decrease in vitamin D from not being outside so much, and an increase in sugar intake (with all the holidays from Halloween to new years and valentines day) which weakens your immune system.

[kokorosenshi]

I guess this explains why I never get sick...

[angeladunn]

I've personally found myself to get sick by exposing myself to the cold air after being in water. Then going into warm air or warm water, then visa versa. It's not advisable to switch from temperature to temperature too soon, especially if you are in hot water. Don't get out of a hot shower and then stand in front of a fan, you will get sick. Also when I'm around sick people, I cover my nose and mouth and I find that  doing this helps prevent me from getting sick. Finally drink orange juice, and you should stay healthy longer.

[ellieessss]

Ahh its winter and I have emephobia (a fear of throwing up)

[samanthaclaire]

I've been trying to explain this to my mum for years and she still doesn't believe me and thinks physically being cold makes you sick aaarGH