Living in the Midwest, it’s very likely one of your parents at some time scolded you to wear a coat so that you don’t catch a cold. But is there any truth to that statement or is it just an empty threat? Avera Family Medicine Physician Kate Boos, MD, explains why cold weather sickness tends to be more of a correlation than causation.
Do cold temperatures make you sick?
“It's a good question. It's not that cold weather actually makes you sick, it just creates an environment where you're going to be more vulnerable or more susceptible to illness. If we think about the rest of the year, summer, the spring, the fall, we're outdoors a lot more. We're going to be in the fresh open air and we're not going to be in such close quarters. Whereas in the winter, especially in this region, it's cold in the winter time so we're going to be indoors a lot more and in closer quarters with people. So there’s a higher chance of being around somebody that's going to be sick and you’re going to be more likely to catch that illness,” said Dr. Boos.
- A common cold is caused by rhinoviruses that circulate year-round, but cold weather keeps people in close proximity increasing the chance of catching the virus.
- Reduced blood flow to extremities like the nose and ears in cold weather can also make it harder for your body to fight off infection.
How can people fight off or lower their risk of infection?
“Most viruses, most illnesses are spread through secretions or droplets and so you're going to be more likely to pick those up by touching a surface that somebody coughed or sneezed on. So good hand washing hygiene is number one when it comes to preventing spread,” said Dr. Boos.
There is no guaranteed strategy for staying healthy, but there are steps you can take to decrease your chances of getting sick:
- Always practice good hygiene and handwashing by scrubbing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and take a sick day when you don’t feel well.
- Sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away. Then thoroughly wash your hands.
- Take care of yourself. Eating well, getting exercise, making sure your vaccines are up to date, committing to quality sleep and managing stress might help you avoid getting sick.
“Avoiding things that we know are going to cause inflammation or damage to your airways is also good advice. So that means no smoking, no vaping, and I'd limit alcohol use as well because that can suppress your immune system, too,” said Dr. Boos.
Are there other ways the cold can impact your health?
“When it's icy out, you really want to prevent trips or falls. So we talk about using a penguin walk where you're kind of safely walking to try and keep your balance on a slippery surface. Another concern that we would think of in this climate would be frostbite or hypothermia. So making sure you're always dressed for the elements. If you get really cold or you get uncomfortable, take a break and head indoors, drink some warm fluids and warm up,” said Dr. Boos.
The winter months also see an uptick in cardiac events largely due to shoveling and over exertion. The classic situation is a heavy, wet snow where scooping leads to shortness of breath and chest pain. If that develops, the first thing is to stop what you are doing, get inside and if symptoms persist, it’s time to be seen by a health care provider.
Cold Weather Safety Habits
- Exposure risks include hypothermia and frostbite which can be harmful if you are not dressed appropriately.
- Shoveling snow can strain your heart as well as your back, so make sure you take your time and don’t over do it.
- If you have asthma or another respiratory condition, the cold air can be a trigger
- Dress for the elements and do your best to limit time outside.
“This time of year, know that you're more susceptible to getting sick. So just being mindful of washing hands well, taking a break if you need to, taking care of your body, taking care of your immune system and of course, if you are sick and you need our help, give us a call," said Dr. Boos.
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