This article explores the reasons behind the increased incidence of colds during winter. It discusses how colder weather and indoor environments contribute to virus transmission, as well as the biological mechanisms that make us more susceptible to infections in cold temperatures.
You may have been told to bundle up before venturing outside in the winter, otherwise you'll catch a cold. But are you actually more likely to get a cold when it's chilly out? Put simply, yes: The incidence of respiratory infections, such as the common cold, peaks in temperate regions during the winter. While frostier weather doesn't directly cause infections, research suggests that it can make you more likely to catch them.
A common explanation for this comes down to how respiratory infections are transmitted from person to person. Viruses that cause the common cold and the flu, or influenza, spread from infected people to others via droplets in the air, which are released as infected people sneeze, talk or cough. Individuals can also become infected with these viruses when they touch contaminated surfaces or objects and then touch their mouth, nose or eyes. During the winter, we typically spend more time indoors, meaning we're spending more time closer to other people, potentially in places with poor air ventilation. This makes viruses more likely to spread within the population. Related: How to get better faster when you have the flu, according to science But beyond these behavioral changes, scientists have shown that there are distinct biological mechanisms that explain why we get more colds in cold weather — and it's related to the temperature and humidity of the air. For instance, epithelial cells that line the nose are a first line of defense against viruses breathed in from the air. Normally, in response to viral infection, these cells increase the secretion of tiny, fluid-filled sacs — called extracellular vesicles — which help mop up viral particles before they can invade the rest of the body, Dr. Benjamin Bleier, a director of endoscopic skull base surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear center, told Live Science.
COLD WEATHER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS VIRUS TRANSMISSION BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS WINTER
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