We are more likely to get sick in winter because the cold and lack of humidity promote the spread of viruses, spending more time indoors facilitates the transmission of diseases, and reduced exposure to the sun decreases the production of vitamin D, which is important for the immune system.
In winter, several viruses, including those of the flu and the cold, survive longer in cold, dry air, making their spread more efficient. The cool climate allows viruses to remain suspended in the air longer, facilitating their entry into our respiratory tracts. Additionally, dry air promotes their transmission by settling more easily on frequently touched surfaces (like doorknobs or phones). In short, when it's cold and dry outside, these tiny microscopic creatures hold their form longer, increasing the risk of transmission from person to person.
In winter, the cold air we breathe is dry, which tends to dry out the mucous membranes in the nose and throat. These mucous membranes act like barriers that usually block viruses and bacteria thanks to a moist substance called mucus. When this barrier becomes dry and irritated, it loses effectiveness, and microbes take advantage to pass through more easily. As a result, we catch colds, bronchitis, or other respiratory illnesses more quickly. That's why you often feel your throat is dry or irritated when it's cold outside.
In winter, we spend less time outdoors and especially have less natural light. However, it is precisely sunlight that helps our skin produce vitamin D, which is essential for boosting our immune system. When vitamin D levels drop, our immune defenses weaken, increasing the risk of getting sick. This decline partly explains why so many people catch colds and flus as the days shorten and the sun becomes scarce. Without regular good exposure to sunlight, our bodies struggle to produce enough of this key vitamin that normally helps us stay healthy.
When it's cold, we spend more time indoors: at home, in the office, in shopping malls, or even on public transport. This confinement encourages close contact between people. As a result, viruses like the cold or flu take full advantage of these situations to spread from one person to another. Being in closed and poorly ventilated places further facilitates the transmission of germs, which linger in the air longer. That's why in winter, having close interactions in enclosed spaces significantly increases the risk of getting sick.
In winter, our body undergoes more stress. The body works harder to keep warm, which consumes a lot of energy, to the detriment of the immune defenses. The drop in temperatures can also slow down the activity of immune cells, reducing their effectiveness in detecting and fighting microbes. Furthermore, fatigue related to a lack of light or poorer quality sleep also weakens our immune system, making it easier for diseases to take hold. Finally, some of our winter behaviors—less physical activity, less balanced diet, or increased stress—further contribute to diminishing our resistance to infections.
Getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining a strong immune system. In winter, lack of sleep not only increases physical stress but also reduces immune capabilities, making you more vulnerable to infections.
People who regularly engage in moderate physical activity during the winter strengthen their immune system and significantly reduce their risk of contracting common winter infections.
Dry air heated by radiators in winter can cause irritation and inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes, making it easier for viruses or bacteria to enter and cause infection. Installing a humidifier can improve the quality of your indoor air.
The viruses responsible for the common cold have over 200 different variants. It is therefore common to catch several colds in the same winter, each caused by different strains.
Vitamin D plays a key role in maintaining an effective immune system. In winter, its levels drop due to reduced sun exposure, increasing the risk of infections such as colds, flu, and other seasonal illnesses.
Cold weather itself does not directly cause infectious diseases, but it can weaken the immune defenses and irritate the respiratory tract, making your body more susceptible to viruses and bacteria.
To prevent winter illnesses, it is recommended to wash your hands regularly, ventilate your home frequently, maintain a balanced diet, engage in regular physical activity, and, if possible, boost your immune system by briefly exposing yourself to sunlight or through vitamin D intake.
During winter, focus on foods rich in vitamins C and D, zinc, and probiotics. Citrus fruits, fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and fermented products like yogurt are particularly recommended to boost the immune system.
Influenza spreads more easily in winter because viruses survive better in cold, dry air, and because people spend more time in enclosed spaces that are conducive to the spread of infections.
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