Yasmina Kattou
Why do we get sick in winter? For the first time, scientists have been able to carry out a study that allows us to understand why as soon as temperatures drop there are more viral diseases. A discovery that could lead to the development of new treatments to combat the famous cold spells.
“You’ll catch a cold!” This is the phrase constantly repeated by parents as soon as temperatures drop. Yet the cold is not a virus. But American and Egyptian researchers have found out how and why people get sick in winter. This study was published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. This is the first time ever that a study has shed light on why there are more viral illnesses in winter.
In our nose, as soon as we inhale the virus, a small cloud of cells forms to attack and destroy the virus. A reaction that works when our body is at 37 degrees. But when it’s 5 degrees outside, after a quarter of an hour, it’s only 32 degrees in our nose… And this drop in temperature hinders our defense system.
Slowed down immune mechanisms
“At the level of the nasal mucosa, when it’s cold, our cells are less able to release what are called extracellular vesicles. These are nano pearls which also play an antiviral role. Well, when it’s cold, these nanoballoon ejection mechanisms are slowed down. Therefore, so-called seasonal viruses multiply better in cold weather,” explains Olivier Schwartz, director of the Institut Pasteur’s virus and immunity unit.
In the future, this scientific discovery could make it possible to develop treatments to stimulate the production of these cells that kill the virus and thus better combat the famous cold snaps.
