The flu and bronchitis are not here yet, and Covid remains relatively stable. If you have a runny nose and a headache, it’s simply because we are entering virus season. With the arrival of cooler temperatures, viruses survive longerand we tend to spend more time in closed spaces. Result: transmission is done more easily. And it’s not the rain predicted in the coming days that will help matters.
SO, Do we really get sicker when it rains? You can actually feel like you’re getting sicker in rainy weather than when it’s sunny. However, it is important to point out that rain, in itself, does not make you sick. If you find yourself in a downpour in the open field, you won’t get sick just from the water. What causes symptoms like sore throat, runny nose, body aches or fever is exposure to a virus or bacteria.
“You’re going to catch a cold”: myth or reality?
This question is at the heart of many family debates, but it also divides the scientific community. The origin of this preconceived idea dates back to an experiment by Louis Pasteur in 1878. He demonstrated that chickens, naturally resistant to the bacteria responsible for anthrax, became infected and died when exposed to a bath of iced water. This experience contributed to the idea that cold weakens immune defenses.
In 2022, researchers have shown that the nose has a less efficient defense system when temperatures drop. In addition, viruses multiply twice as quickly in the cold. So, if you are soaked from head to toe and you pass someone sick or touch a surface contaminated with a virus, yes, you risk getting sick too.
Why do children get sick during school holidays?
We also notice that children often fall ill at the start of school holidays. For what ? Although not scientifically proven, it appears that fatigue and stress linked to school schedules play a role there. Indeed, lack of sleep weakens the immune system, making children more vulnerable to infections.
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