Interesting: cold weather really does cause more colds

**CitizenBBN** · 10-05-2015, 07:25 PM

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/0...tcmp=obnetwork

obviously colds are caused by a virus, and you'd think that the temperature itself isn't really a factor, but rather just contact and spread of viruses. This study however finds that cold weather and esp. cold air does in fact make it more likely you get a cold.

You have to be exposed to the virus of course, but if you're breathing cold air it a) makes for a better environment for the virus to multiply, and b) seemingly stunts the production of interferon by the immune system. So it makes your immune system weaker and is a better temperature for the virus to multiply, so a simple exposure is a lot more likely to turn into a full fledged cold. This study says as much as 100 times more likely.

Just thought it was interesting. Seems the best advice is to wrap up your face good in a scarf to keep the ambient temp in your mouth and nose good and warm.

**Doc** · 10-06-2015, 06:56 AM

This is a big area of study in cattle production and "shipping fever" where cattle go to market and develop upper respiratory infections. They are more prevalent in colder temperatures but has mostly due stress supressing the immune system. Of course cold weather/temperatures do that along with overcrowding (which is why many large animal vets recommend not shipping cattle packed tightly in livestock trucks or shipping them long distances). Those factors decrease the production of interferon as well. Also the fomites in colder air survive longer so transmission is greater in colder weather. This is easiest illustrated by the ability to see ones breath in cold air vs warm air. The hi moisture in the cold carries the virus which is why colds are more likely to transmit in the cold. No doubt colds are there in warm weather but catching a warm doesn't sound right