Can Weather Changes Make You Sick?

Every year it’s the same, as the calendar transitions from fall to winter. The brisk winds sweep in, the temperatures drop, and suddenly, you’re besieged by sneezing and coughing. First comes the cold weather, then the cold.

While the annual change from warm to cold weather can seem to lead to illness, it’s helpful to know how that might happen and why, and what we can do to prevent it. To get some answers, we talked to family medicine expert Neha Vyas, MD.

How does the weather affect your health?

First, it’s important to make a distinction: “The change of temperature doesn’t make you sick but changes in weather conditions can predispose you to getting sick,” says Dr. Vyas. And there are three main factors that feed the rising rates of illness during these weather changes.

• Drier air: “Winter means colder, drier air that dries out the mucus membranes and that can allow viruses into your body quicker,” Dr. Vyas says. “Cracks in the mucus membranes can allow those viruses to settle and access your body.”
• The cold: “When the air gets colder, it weakens our immune system, making us more susceptible to infections,” she says.
• Exposure: Besides exposure to cold air, there’s also exposure to other sick people. With the colder temps of winter, we’re indoors for longer periods of time around more people, and that gives viruses ample feeding ground. “There are more germs indoors and ventilation isn’t as good as being outdoors,” says Dr. Vyas, “so when you’re around more people, viruses spread more easily.”

Winter is also the peak season for certain viruses, particularly influenza, that typically don’t survive as well during the warmer months.

Seasonal allergies

While allergies are a year-round problem for many, seasonal allergies that occur in the fall when the temperatures first drop can lead to lingering issues for many. Ragweed is the most common fall allergen, but other weeds, like mugwort and sagebrush, can also generate pollens that trigger allergies in cooler weather.

Again, this isn’t the drop in temperature directly causing you to be sick. But certain conditions that occur when the temperature drops certainly make you more vulnerable.

How to prevent illness when the weather changes

While you can never fully prevent yourself from getting sick, there’s plenty you can do to protect yourself and decrease the chances of illness.

Wear masks

One habit that’s taken root during the pandemic and could be a great benefit onward is masking. While wearing masks as a preventative measure has become regular in the U.S. because of COVID-19, it was a regular flu-season practice in other parts of the world long before the pandemic.

“Wearing a mask indoors, especially when you’re around a group of people whose immunity or vaccination statuses are unknown, is a great idea,” says Dr. Vyas.

Stay warm

Another helpful habit is to make sure you stay warm, particularly while doing outdoor activities. “We lose a lot of heat from our head, fingers, toes, ears, nose and mouth so those are the places you want to keep covered to maintain warmth and protect your body’s immune system,” she says.

Stay hydrated

The need to remain properly hydrated is as important for your health during cold weather as it is during warm weather. “You may not realize that the air is drier and you may not feel as thirsty but it’s important to maintain proper hydration,” Dr. Vyas notes.

Nutrition’s role

The same goes for maintaining a balanced diet, she says. “Fresh fruits, vegetables and the Mediterranean diet can go a long way to making you feel and stay healthy.”

As for the idea that an intake of vitamin C can help keep you healthy, Dr. Vyas points out that data doesn’t really back that claim but it doesn’t do you any harm.

Other good habits

Here are four other things Dr. Vyas recommends making part of your routine to stay healthy when the cold weather comes to town:

• Get your COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
• Always get your annual physical.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Stay home when you’re sick.

Taking these measures helps protect you and your family from getting sick and getting stuck in that perpetual cycle of passing around a cold or flu virus for weeks at a time. They may not make the cold temperatures go away, but at least you’ll be healthier while you wait on the warmer climate of spring.