Weather and Health
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Common Cold Symptoms
Viruses don’t survive the cold very well and multiply more readily in warm conditions.
This contradicts the high number of cold or influenza cases in winter. Only recently
scientist found the explanation for this contradiction: the viruses protect themselves
against the cold. In warm conditions, viruses are covered by a liquid membrane, which
becomes gel-
The lower temperatures are also an indirect cause. Whenever the person next to you sneezes or coughs, he or she dislodges tiny droplets that contain a large number of viruses. In summer, the fresh air outdoors rapidly dilutes the density of the viruses and the risk of catching the germ is lower – not so in winter. During the winter months people tend to spend more time indoors with the windows closed to save energy. The virus concentration is high, and with it comes the risk of inhaling a few. Winter’s low level of ultraviolet sunlight also plays a part. Sufficient ultraviolet rays during the summer period help kill the viruses.
Continually changing weather conditions stress the body and weaken the immune system. Viruses and bacteria find ways to get past the defence system. A runny nose, however, is a sign that at least part of the system is working. It is a healthy body reaction to get rid of the intruders. So, don’t stop this reaction by using nasal sprays. Use a handkerchief instead.
With every exposure to any of the viruses’ strains, the body develops immunity and protects the person against that particular germ when it appears the next time. The children’s immune system, however, hasn’t had much experience with viruses. It is still learning how to recognize the different strains. Until their body develops the relevant immunities, they will be sick more often. Vaccines induce the body to produce such immunities.
An estimated 20 million people lost their lives during the influenza epidemic, the Spanish flu, in 1918. Since then, medical advances contained major outbreaks so that today ‘only’ thousands become victims. The US experienced an epidemic in 1957 that killed an estimated 70,000 people, followed by another outbreak in 1968 with 34,000 victims.
Approximately 200 different kinds of viruses cause symptoms of the common cold. Several others lead to influenza. Often, the first signs are sneezing and a sore throat, followed by the inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis) and inflammation of the lungs (bronchitis). Fever generally occurs with influenza only. A third kind of virus (herpes simplex virus) attacks the weakened body and causes a cold sore.