Cold Weather and Respiratory Illness: Understanding the Real Connection
Cold Weather and Respiratory Illness: Understanding the Real Connection
US · Published Jan 21, 2026
Cold weather doesn't directly cause respiratory illnesses, but it creates conditions that make people more susceptible.
Cold, dry air allows viruses to survive longer and weakens immune defenses in the nose and throat.
Spending more time indoors and reduced sunlight exposure during winter increase the risk of virus transmission.
Cold weather and respiratory illness connection
It's a common belief that cold weather directly causes respiratory illnesses like the common cold or the flu. However, the reality is more nuanced. While cold temperatures themselves don't cause infections, they create conditions that make us more susceptible to them.
Related News