When winter arrives, should we really blame the cold air for those annoying coughs and runny noses? Not necessarily. “While colds are indeed more common during the colder months, this is largely a correlation rather then a direct cause,” states John Tregoning, a professor specializing in vaccine immunology at Imperial College London.

One minor detail worth noting is that ultraviolet (UV) rays have the ability to deactivate viruses. For example, when someone sneezes outside in summer, the viral particles can be exposed to sunlight which helps neutralize them, while fast evaporation aids in drying them out. However,the main factor influencing cold transmission is our behavior: during winter months,we tend to spend more time indoors with limited ventilation and closer contact with others.

“Different cold and flu viruses peak at various times throughout winter,” observes Tregoning, who wrote Live Forever? A Curious Scientist’s Guide to Wellness, Ageing and Death. “For instance, rhinovirus cases often spike when children return to school and start exchanging germs in crowded classrooms. Simultaneously occurring, RSV—a virus that poses meaningful risks for infants and older adults—typically peaks around New Year.”

The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored how vital human interaction is; many other viruses nearly disappeared during lockdowns due to reduced social interactions. In fact, one strain of influenza even became extinct consequently of limited transmission.

However, extremely low temperatures can affect your susceptibility to infections. “If you’re frequently feeling cold and burning calories quickly while fatigued,your​ likelihood of getting sick increases,” Tregoning explains. Research suggests that rhinoviruses thrive slightly better in cooler environments; additionally,our immune system’s ability to combat these viruses diminishes somewhat in frigid conditions.

The Best protection Against Seasonal Illnesses

The most effective way to guard against seasonal illnesses? vaccination against prevalent winter pathogens such as flu‌ and RSV. “vaccines not only help prevent infections but also provide additional benefits like reducing heart attack risks,” he emphasizes.