Expect an increase in the number of flu cases as the flu season this year will be worse than the previous year. This is according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Virology, there is a direct connection between cold weather and the spread of virus.
The findings of the study, which was published on the website of CNN, concluded that low humidity and below freezing temperature, which happens in the first really cold week of each year, is known to trigger colds and flu in an individual.
According to Nicklas Sundell, lead author of the study and a researcher at Sahlgrenska Academy, sudden drops in temperature can trigger the flu virus. "We believe that this sudden drop in temperature contributes to 'kickstart' the epidemic. Once the epidemic has started, it continues even if temperatures rise. Once people are sick and contagious, many more may become infected." Sundell said.
In an article that appeared in CBS News, research conducted by the National Institutes of Health concluded that certain kinds of viruses may be easily transmitted in cold weather. The researchers attributed this to the outer membrane of the influenza virus being made up of lipids or fat molecules. Unlike in the warm weather, the virus can easily cling onto a human host.
In the study conducted by Sundell and his team, it was revealed that while any decrease in temperature can be crucial in triggering flu virus, it is not the only factor. He pointed out that the goal of their study is to establish the connection between weather and the timing of the flu. According to Sundell, there should be a consistent phenomenon.
Meantime, Dr. Sundell recommended the following to prevent the spread of flu: covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, washing hands regularly, and having a yearly flu vaccine.
