Nathalie Rodriguez

Nathalie Rodriguez

Nathalie is the daughter of a Colombian mom and Venezuelan dad, born in New York and raised in Hialeah, FL.Full Bio

 

Does Cold Weather Make You Sick?

Researchers from Sweden and Scotland collected over 20,000 nasal swabs over a three-year period to detect respiratory illnesses. They then analyzed local weather data. They discovered that outbreaks of respiratory infections like the flu and respiratory syncytial virus-- a virus that causes cold-like symptoms-- began during each year's first low-humidity, below-freezing week. 


In other words, the winter chill kick-started flu season. Study authors theorize that viruses, like those that cause the flu, travel in liquid particles, and survive better in dry, cold climates. 

So in short: yes, you're more-likely to get sick when it's cold out, but the temperature outside is not the only factor that impacts your chances of getting sick.


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