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Many of us have heard, “Don’t go out without a coat; you will catch a cold. ”
That is not entirely true. As with many things, the reality is more complicated. Here’s the distinction: Being cold isn’t the reason why you get a cold. But it is true that cold weather makes it easier to catch a cold or the flu. It’s too early to say how the weather will affect the COVID-19 virus, but scientists are starting to think that it behaves differently from cold and flu viruses.
As an associate professor of nursing with a background in public health, I get asked about this all the time. So here’s a look at what’s really happening.
Many viruses, including rhinovirus – the common culprit in the common cold – and flu, remain infectious for longer and multiply more quickly in colder temperatures. Therefore, these viruses spread more easily in winter. Wearing a thick coat doesn’t necessarily make a difference.
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Virus transmission is easier when it is cold
More specifically, cold weather can change the outer membrane of the influenza virus; it makes the membrane firmer and rubbery. Scientists believe the rubbery coating makes the transmission of the virus from person to person easier.
It’s not just cold winter air that causes problems. Air that is dry in addition to cold has been linked to flu outbreaks. A study from the National Institutes of Health suggests that dry winter air further helps the influenza virus stay infectious for longer.
How your immune system reacts during cold weather is also very important. Breathing in cold air can adversely affect the immune response in your airways, making it easier for viruses to hold on to. Therefore, it can help to wear a scarf over your nose and mouth.
Most people also get less sunlight in the winter. That’s a problem because the sun is an important source of vitamin D, which is essential for immune health. Physical activity, another factor, also tends to decline in the winter. People are three times more likely to delay training in snowy or icy conditions.
Instead, people spend more time indoors. That usually means more close contact with others, leading to the spread of the disease. Respiratory viruses generally spread within six feet of an infected person. If you are indoors, chances are you are closer than two meters.
Additionally, cold weather dries out your eyes and the mucous membranes in your nose and throat. Because viruses that cause colds and flu are usually inhaled, the virus can attach more easily to these diseased, dried out passages.
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What you can do
The bottom line is that being wet and cold doesn’t make you sick, but there are strategies for avoiding illness year-round.
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Wash your hands often.
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Don’t touch your face, which is something people do nine to 23 times an hour.
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Stay hydrated; eight glasses of water a day is a good goal, but it can depend more or less on the lifestyle and size of the person.
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Eat a balanced diet. Dark green leafy vegetables are rich in vitamins that support the immune system; eggs, fortified milk, salmon and tuna contain vitamin D.
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Stay physically active, even in winter.
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Clean the hard, high-touch surfaces in your home often.
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If your nose or throat gets dry in the winter, consider using a humidifier.
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Get the flu vaccine.
And one more important thing this year: make sure you get the COVID-19 vaccine when it’s your turn.
Libby Richards, associate professor of nursing, Purdue University
This article has been republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.