Winter can be a beautiful season, but not when you’re stuck inside with a cold or flu. People tend to get sick more often during the winter than any other season, but it’s not only the change in weather that causes it. Factors like conditions where viruses thrive, and the proximity to others will increase the likelihood of getting sick. If that happens, reach out to a medical clinic that will treat your symptoms. 

Why Do People Get Sick Over the Winter?        

How Does the Weather Affect Your Health?

Many believe that the colder temperatures and frequent rain leave them more vulnerable to illness during the winter. 

While the weather does play a role, exposure to heavy rain doesn’t increase your odds of getting sick. 

During the winter, temperatures drop. Viruses live and thrive in cold conditions, increasing the odds of catching respiratory conditions like a cold or flu. However, you don’t have to remain outdoors over a long period to get sick. 

What Other Factors Cause Illnesses During the Winter?

1. Less Sunlight 

Immune systems become weaker when the days are shorter. Sunlight provides melatonin and vitamin D, both of which bolster the immune system. With shorter days that tend to be more inclement, you’ll get less exposure to the benefits of sunlight. 

2. Low Humidity

Though it’s in a warmer climate, Texas tends to have low humidity, especially during the winter. The drier air allows viruses to remain in circulation longer.  

3. Staying Indoors

To avoid inclement weather and illness, most people tend to stay indoors during the winter. Remaining in close quarters with others at work or home will increase the probability of getting sick. You’ll breathe the same air in a smaller space with those who may have a cold, a cough, or the flu. 

What’s the Difference Between a Cold & the Flu?

The Common Cold 

Colds and the flu are respiratory illnesses that spread at the same time and have similar symptoms, which can make them difficult to diagnose. 

Colds cause sneezing and runny noses more than the flu does. While both cause coughing, a cold’s cough will include the discharge of yellow or green phlegm. Those with colds also often experience sore throats. 

While flu symptoms manifest themselves in a few hours, a cold will take days to develop. However, many people infected with the cold virus may not experience any symptoms at all. 

The Flu 

The flu is the more dangerous of the two conditions, with 10,000 people in Dallas dying each year from the condition.  

Flu symptoms tend to be worse than a cold’s. They can include chills, body and muscle aches, and fatigue. Most notably, a flu will cause fever which colds rarely do in adults.

Your body will fight off a cold over time, and it should do the same for the flu. In most cases, it takes two weeks for flu symptoms to subside totally. However, unlike colds, the flu can become complicated. They will sometimes turn into conditions like pneumonia, myocarditis, or encephalitis. 

If flu symptoms go beyond two weeks, the condition will worsen. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, chest pain, and seizures. Chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease may also worsen. 

While the flu can affect anyone, certain people are at an elevated risk for complications. This includes senior citizens that are 65 or older, pregnant women, children under five, and those with chronic conditions.  

Immunize yourself from the flu by going to a medical clinic at the start of flu season each year.

How Can You Avoid Illnesses Over the Winter? 

Keep Your Distance

When speaking to someone—especially someone who is sick—remain outside of their breathing zone, which is between six and nine inches from a person’s nose and mouth. 

Wash Your Hands

One of the best ways to avoid colds or the flu is the simplest: wash your hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds in warm water. Use soap on visibly dirty hands. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to eliminate germs, bacteria, and microorganisms. 

When sneezing or coughing, cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve. If you use your hands, wash them quickly. Touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands allows viruses and bacteria to enter your body.

Exercise

Stay active during the winter. Go out in weather-appropriate clothes for a brisk walk or join a gym. Exercise clears out bacteria in your lungs, reducing the chance of catching respiratory illnesses like the cold or flu. 

Physical activity strengthens the white blood cells (WBC) and antibodies, making them spread through the body faster. This allows them to detect infections early and prevent illness. 

Working out also increases your body temperature. Germs and bacteria have difficulty thriving in heat, allowing you to fight off potential illnesses just by exercising. 

Focus on mild aerobic exercises for 30 to 60 minutes a day. Exercising longer or with greater intensity can increase stress hormones, which is bad for your immune system. Your cortisol and norepinephrine levels will rise, which decreases your WBC count, leaving you vulnerable to infection. 

If you’re going to work out this winter, consider these exercises that will benefit your immune system:

• Running: A light or mild pace is enough to increase your body temperature and circulate WBCs. To help keep pace, use a treadmill. 
• PACE Program: The PACE program provides immune system benefits. It focuses on maximizing your effort during brief exercises. You’ll reach your peak intensity in a short time before resting. This allows you to make gains in your fitness while boosting your immune system. 
• Swimming: Swimming in cold water increases your WBC count, as your body must adapt to the sudden change in temperature. It’s also known to decrease stress, which is also good for the immune system. 

Increase House Cleaning 

If you have children, sanitize the toys they use most often. Disinfect hard surfaces, where germs can thrive for up to 24 hours. This includes tables, countertops, and technology like tablets, keyboards, and cellphones. 

Maintain a consistent cleaning schedule that includes areas that are commonly touched by your hands, like doorknobs and faucets.

Improve Indoor Air Quality at Home

If you have an HVAC system, replace the filters every month to increase air quality. Keeping the filters clean will allow for air filtration that’s free of dust and contaminates. It also has the added benefit of increasing the HVAC’s energy efficiency, which will decrease your bills.

You can also improve your air quality by vacuuming (if you have carpeting and rugs) and moping (for other types of flooring) at least twice a week and change your sheets weekly.  

Diet Properly

Spending more time at home during the winter leads to eating junk foods. A proper diet can keep your immune system healthy. Stews and chilis that are heavy in vegetables will keep you both satisfied and healthy. During the day, snack on fruit rather than sugary treats. 

If you’re coming down with a cold, speak to your physician about taking zinc lozenges. They can help your immune system bind the virus in your body and keep its particles from replicating. If you’re unable to prevent a cold, the lozenges might shorten the experience. 

Stay Hydrated

As humidity drops and the air becomes arid, you’ll have trouble staying hydrated. Water carries oxygen to your cells, so the body functions properly. It also flushes your system of toxins, which can boost your immune system. 

Visit Your Local Medical Clinic

Medical clinics provide illness prevention and treatment options. Cold and flu season starts in late fall and peaks during the winter in February. Schedule flu shots and immunizations ahead of time.

If you get sick during flu season, they’ll provide antiviral medication or antibiotics as you need them. 

 

 

For over 50 years, Brownfield Regional Medical Center has provided extensive support from experienced physicians. From obstetrics to geriatric care, their medical clinic offers help for the entire family. During the winter season, they also provide shots and immunizations, so you remain healthy and flu-free. If you’re in the Brownfield, TX, area, you can make an appointment by reaching out to them at (806) 637-3551. For more information on their cardiac and respiratory services, visit their website.