HEALTHLINE – A strong immune system is key during colder weather because respiratory illnesses can flourish during this time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that acute respiratory virus cases are currently high in the United States, with a growing number of people seeking medical attention for acute respiratory illness.
Around 1 million people in the U.S. are hospitalized every year for illnesses related to respiratory viruses. About 100,000 people die annually from these illnesses, ranging from influenza to COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Most respiratory illnesses, like the common cold and the flu, occur during the winter months. A 2022 study notes that an immune response inside the nose is inhibited during colder weather, making upper respiratory illnesses more likely to occur.
“Consuming a nutrient-dense diet is important all year. However, giving your body (including your microbiome) the nutrients it needs is essential to help build defenses against cold and flu come winter months.” Kristin Kirkpatrick, registered dietitian, Cleveland Clinic
William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, told Healthline that close quarters is one factor.
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“We spend more time indoors, crowded together during the winter when it is cold outside,” Schaffner said.
“To amplify that closeness, we travel, party, and gather with family and friends during this time of year. These close personal contacts provide ample opportunities for these respiratory viruses to spread from person to person.”
In addition, rhinoviruses and influenza viruses that cause respiratory illnesses tend to remain infectious longer in colder, drier weather.
“Winter is a time of low humidity, and it has been shown that virus particles remain suspended in the air longer in low humidity, thus increasing their ability to infect others” …