Page 46 - HSMP student project

speaking, scientists are still confused as to why exactly this phenomenon occurs. Whatever the reason, other scientists have also debated the question, and have their own reasonings as to what triggers sickness in the cold; and if it is even related to the cold.
ccording to Aurora Health Care, the idea that cold weather triggers sicknesses is not entirely untrue. Their article claims that cooler fall and winter temperatures are conducive to more cold and flu viruses to hang in the air. And allergies can irritate your lungs and nasal passages leaving you more susceptible to cold or flu viruses — it’s essentially a one-two punch for ending up being sick when the seasons change. This can be proven since influenza viruses are proven to peak in the winter. The rhinovirus that causes colds peaks in the spring & fall when the temperatures are cooler. Again, being out in the cold seems to limit the ability of your nasal hairs and mucus to catch and prevent germs from coming into your nose. This can also tie into seasonal allergies and how they affect your health. However, this relates more to the arguments surrounding genetic expression.
edicalNewsToday published an article on the topic, focusing on research concerning the Rhinoviruses and the common cold.
Most research on rhinoviruses has primarily focused on examining how differences in body temperature affect the virus’s ability to reproduce. However, more recent research is focusing on environmental factors that may increase a person’s risk of developing a rhinovirus infection, such as wintertime vs summertime peaks of the rhinovirus. Studies show ​these summer infections are usually milder than those caught in other seasons, especially compared to the winter. However, the studies are not completely reliable because people tend to mistake their allergies for the common cold all the time. Despite this, MedicalNewsToday argues that infection risks increase in colder seasons.
Wellness 101 - Spring 2020