When it comes to taking the blame for causing colds or the flu, experts say weather simply gets a bad rap.

Cold weather does not in fact cause a person to get sick. That's because a cold or the flu are spread either by directly touching respiratory secretions on another person, such as in handshaking for example, or through indirect contact with secretions in the environment, such as being coughed or sneezed on.

Colds and the flu are especially common in the winter not because of the cold itself, say experts with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Maryland, but because people spend more time indoors where viruses have a greater opportunity to spread from one person to another.

Children are especially vulnerable because they haven't built up resistance against many cold or flu strains, which is why they can typically suffer from six to eight colds per year. Adults over 60, meanwhile, suffer from the fewest colds – about one a year – because their natural immunities are well-established.

While the cold weather cannot cause one to get a cold or the flu, the dry air that accompanies winter may have an impact. Dry conditions can increase the chance of infection because viruses can thrive when humidity levels are low, according to NIAID. Furthermore, since nasal passages are drier, they may be more susceptible to infection.

Since germs are transmitted through direct contact, hand washing is key to preventing both colds and the flu. Regularly cleaning environmental surfaces with disinfectants can also make a difference, experts say. You can further increase your defence against the flu by getting a flu vaccine shot.

For more information on the flu call 1-866-FLU-'N YOU (1-866-358-6968) or visit HealthyOntario.com.

December 2003

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