‘Tis the Season
I grew up in the village of Ga-Mphahlele in the early 1980’s. Back then, going to a doctor was a luxury that had to be earned by a severe illness. Getting sick with “flu” in those days meant simply staying in bed and drinking whatever grandma gave you for your symptoms – some bitter tasting cough syrup or home-made remedies that tasted like the gateway to death. But clearly grandma knew best, and her elixirs of life stopped my flu cold in its track.
Viruses and bacteria have plagued us since we humans have roamed the earth. From Smallpox, the Great Plague, the Bubonic plague (a.k.a Black Death) in the earlier centuries to the infamous Spanish flu in the 19th century and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic, we just can’t escape these invisible organisms.
Through the passing of time, there has been evolution and advancements of many things about life. Yet, it seems the more things change, the more they stay the same when it comes to catching bugs. Our bodies have not evolved much in terms of immunity against our planet co-inhabitants. The world has become a very small place as it has become much easier for people to move between countries and continents. And they take the bugs with them.
The chill in the air signals more than just a change of season from Summer to Autumn, but also the beginning of another season: The Cold and Flu Season. Bugs are always there and busy all year round, but the cooler months are when they spread the most. Let’s Xplore why this happens:
Firstly, the “flu like” viruses – Influenza, RSV, Covid, Rhino to mention a few – reproduce and thrive more at colder temperatures, making it easier for them to spread and infect more people as there are more to go around.
Secondly, the cold weather plays a role in reducing the immune system’s response in general, making it harder for the body to fight off germs. And furthermore, cold and dry air has a direct adverse effect in the nose, which is the point of entry for most of the organisms that affect the respiratory system (nose, sinuses, ears, throat, lungs). Cold air drastically reduces the functions of the barrier inside the nose that fights off viruses as they enter.
Lastly, most people spend more time indoors during the cold weather to keep warm. However, this behaviour also increases exposure to germs that are circulating in poorly ventilated (due to closed doors and windows) and more frequently overcrowded rooms. So, if there’s a virus in the air, you have a higher chance to catch it just by breathing. There are also more surfaces inside for germs to land on. We tend to touch these surfaces just as often we touch our faces unaware. Most viruses enter through the nose and mouth, and so they are transferred easily from those surfaces into the body.
So, now you know why these bugs are our winter companions. But what do you do when under attack? Although we know prevention is better than cure, this is not always possible. Here are some basic things you can do to lower your risk of catching colds and flus during winter:
Look after your immune system
Eat well, hydrate, take relevant supplements where necessary, rest so you don’t run down your immune system that is already stressed by the cold weather.
Up the good hygiene practices
Wash your hands often, avoid touching the face, cover your coughs and sneezes, clean frequently touched surfaces.
Isolate when sick
Don’t spread germs, stay away from others when having sneezes, cough or blocked/ runny nose. Remember just because you can’t see the germs, it doesn’t mean you’re not spreading them.
Consider getting vaccinated
The flu vaccine has been a game changer in the reduction of spread since the initial influenza pandemic. it also reduces duration, severity and complications of the illness. It can be taken from age of 6months old onwards and it takes two weeks to build an immune response. The earlier in the season it’s done, the better.
If you have caught one of the bugs and are struggling to shake it off, do seek help. Taking something for flu symptoms does help to relieve symptoms. Fortunately, these days we have better options. Rest is still a necessary part of recovery, and luckily most of the viruses are self-limiting and will run their course and die on their own. If you do need to see a doctor, please do not demand to be given antibiotics, these should be prescribed at the discretion of the doctor if they feel you have more than a viral illness.
If it were up to me, I’d cancel winter completely. But my powers are limited to sharing insights that will give you tools to survive it. Until September, keep warm and stay healthy.
