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There are always simple-sounding questions that just sound like they have to have an answer. Luckily, many of them do! This time, we're looking into why more people get sick during the chilly, winter months than during the warmer, spring and summer months. Why do more people get sick in the winter than the summer? The Truth: The myth is close, but not quite right. Cold weather does not (directly) cause colds. However, the cold weather does indirectly lead to the illnesses! Here's how: When cold weather arrives, all the windows in your house are usually closed, and the heat gets turned on. Bacteria loves the warmth as much as people do! Also, when the windows are cold and the house is warm, there is a chance for condensation (moisture) around the window. Warm, moist environments are the best way to grow bacteria, and in the winter, your house can turn into a breeding ground. When you fall ill, there is a very good chance that it was caused in part by the millions more bacteria in your home than during summer months. How to fix this? Keep a can of Lysol (or other disinfectant) handy to disinfect moist areas and frequently touched areas (doorknobs, You could also leave a window in your house open during the day to keep it cool - bacteria cannot grow when it is cold. If you have ever been to a hospital, you probably noticed that it is usually very cool inside. This is to keep bacteria from growing! Also, if your house makes use of central heating using forced air, be sure to replace it regularly - if there is bacteria on the filter itself, when you turn the heater on, the bacteria will be projected outwards into the rooms you're heating and the air you breathe. Another interesting point about the heat - many people believe that since it's cold, germs and bacteria die. The fact is - bacteria does not die from cold! It simply slows how quickly it reproduces. This is why, for example, when you buy a piece of meat to eat, you can freeze it for a certain period of time...which, after that period, the bacteria would have had ample time to spread considerably, even in the cold. The bacteria only dies by extreme heat! The heat is why you must cook meats to a certain temperature - the heat is what is killing the harmful bacteria! Many people take extra precautions throughout the year to help promote being healthy year-round. The use of air purifiers using HEPA filters are on the rise. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter, which basically means that all the stuff floating around in the room is sucked into a fan-type machine where all the particles get stuck to the filter - and only the pure air goes back out. These work especially well for people with alergies or asthma, but are on the rise in dealing with air-borne bacteria. Lastly, one of the easiest, most effective ways to make sure you stay healthy - in the winter or anytime during the year - is to make sure you wash your hands! Everything you touch has some sort of bacteria on it. The longer you go between washing, the more bacteria you get. Your body can kill a certain level of bacteria (and does so daily!), but you can help out a lot by keeping your hands clean!
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buttons, shelves, window sills, etc) and clean other areas that are touched by multiple people who could spread germs (keyboards, remote controls, etc.)