For years mothers have been bundling up their children from head to toe in thick jackets, scarves, and gloves because they’re afraid you’re going to catch a cold—literally. But in terms of infectious illnesses, germs make you sick not the cold or the snow.
A person has to come in contact with a rhinovirus to catch a cold and you have to be infected with influenza to catch the flu. Yet, rhinoviruses peak in the spring and fall and influenza viruses peak in the winter.
How does the cold weather contribute to catching a cold and flu?
There is a connection with the cold that may contribute to conditions that lead to you getting sick:
- The cold air forces you to stay inside where it’s warm
- Central heating makes it easier for cold and flu viruses to get into your dry nasal passages
- Poor ventilation makes it easier to catch germs
- Dry cold air allows the flu virus to survive
- The colder it gets to freezing temperatures the easier it is for the flu virus to stay active
- When you’re outside and your nose is frozen, so are your mucus and nasal hairs, which help block the virus from coming inside
- When you come inside to a warm room, you are more likely to be exposed to germs because they are contained
So what can you do?
Now that you know how easy it is to catch germs, you may feel helpless and might find that there are some advantages to staying bundled up during the winter. The best thing that you can do to avoid a cold or flu is to get a flu shot. Wash your hands often, especially if you’re shaking hands and then touching your nose, mouth, and face. Keep your home clean; disinfect your home because germs can live on your phone, TV remote, computers, toothbrushes, bedding, and other surfaces around your home.
Stay away from sick people and it’s o.k. to spray a disinfectant spray around your home and work. Eating the right foods also helps your immune system stay strong. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, especially those with vitamin C and zinc. Get plenty of rest and exercise to keep your body strong. Sometimes catching a cold or flu is inevitable, but make sure you tackle it as soon as you start feeling tired, achy, sneezy, or coughy.