The REAL reason people gets more colds/flus in the cold months has little to do with temperature, but mostly to do with vitamin D deficiency. UCSD researchers recently discovered that the winter months bring shorter days, with lower sun angles, and we are bundled up more, which all leads to less sun exposure on our skin, the primary source of vitamin D. The deficiency reduces the effectiveness of our immune systems and we get more illnesses. It is recommended that people take 1000-2000 IU vitamin D daily in the winter months to keep our immune systems functioning well.
Cold, dry air-- and indoor, heated dry air-- do contribute by irritating the mucosa in our noses, sinuses, and throats, adding to increased vulnerability to disease, but this is a secondary factor.
MODERATOR COMMENT: Bobbi P (and others who might not be aware): When you start a thread in this forum, it’s helpful to other readers if you provide a link to the column in question. Saves search time, and avoids repetition of what’s already in the column. No biggie, you’ll know for next time, and I’ve edited the link at the bottom of the post.
Bobbi P, are you agreeing or disagreeing with Cecil? If you are disagreeing, are we to take your word for it, or do you have some good reference material we could see?
Because, while you may be right, I won’t take your word for it just because you can type into a browser on a message board.
Sorry, Dex (Somewhat less sorry, Bobbi P, who posted the same rubbish in March); while the vitamin D research exists, it has nothing to do with colds or flu or some vague “susceptibility to diseases.” A study led by Dr. Cedric Garland, professor of Family and Preventive Medicine at UC San Diego, showed a statistical correlation between low serum vitamin D and diagnosis of breast cancer within three months of the measurement. Dr. Garland posits that a causative mechanism for the correlation may be related to a specific growth phase of tumors.
Cold and flu, as far as I know, are not characterized by tumors (though there may be some swelling).
I always figured it was because of schools. Hundreds of kids cloistered in buildings, sharing their germs and taking any any pestilence making the rounds home. In June, July, and August kids aren’t nearly as cramped together.