Why do we get the flu most often in the winter? Are viruses more virulent in cold weather?
490946
No, viruses actually die in cold weather, however the cold does make people noses run-wiped on hands and spread everywhere, also they may cough more. As viruses die in cold, they multiply and spread in over-heated homes-which are usually sealed as well as possible to keep heat-trapping the germs
555712
The common cold is a viral infection. It can be manifested in different ways by different people. The manifestations during a common cold as well as the flu depend on your body's immune system response. The common cold is usually less severe than a strain of the flu virus. The common cold usually starts as some type of respiratory viral infection and can commonly cause host susceptibility to bacterial organisms. The flu virus acts more aggressively and has some effects on the nervous system. These effects cause the severe headaches, body aches, lack of body temperature control, and muscle aches that accompany this disease. At this time, there are no direct treatments for either of these viral diseases. The goal of treatment for both is to manage the symptomatology of the disease. For example, Tylenol/Ibuprofen for fever, etc.
616073
Superstition. Science is blasphemy, so superstition wins out. \n\nActually they believe it because: 1) it is named a COLD, and 2) we get them more in cold weather.\n\nMost people don't understand that cold weather lowers resistance and dries the mucus membranes, which filter dust and viruses. Therefore, we are more susceptible to disease.
5178
Anyone with a cold or the flu virus feels as if they are under attack by some organism. But in the scientific community it's still an open-ended question. This is why viruses do not belong to a kingdom of living things. Just because a virus seems alive doesn't mean it is alive. After all, it's not even a single-celled organism.\n\nA virus is little more than a strand of DNA or RNA covered by a protein coating. Viruses are a thousand times smaller than bacteria and come in a wide range of shapes. Some look like weird, tall spiders whereas others look like prickly porcupinelike soccer balls.\n\nOne thing is for sure; viruses are very much a part of life on Earth and the human experience. Viruses infect animals, plants, and even bacteria. Humans are in a constant battle with viruses. HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), the Ebola virus, and the West Nile virus continue to make headlines and take millions of lives.\n\nOther maladies, such as colds, the flu, chicken pox, measles, and hepatitis, are more common, but sometimes just as deadly. Symptoms vary depending on which kind of cell is under attack. Cold viruses attack the nose and throat, the rabies virus attacks the brain and nervous system, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks white blood cells in the bloodstream. Viruses can even cause some kinds of cancers and leukemia
209255
Take time off. You will be jeopardising your immune system when the flu really hits you. And sweating at this moment of time will further encourage infection. So, go home and take some good needed rest and yes, don't forget your Vitamin Cs.
726671
Common cold is a viral infection of the nose and \nthroat. There are hundreds of different types of \nviruses which can cause common cold.These \nviruses are transmitted from an affected person \nto another directly or indirectly. Detail informations\navailable at http://ailments.in/commoncold.html...
99532
no, there are many different strains of flus out there. Bird flu is just one of them. I copied some facts from the website listed below, there is a lot of useful info there. \n\nIt's hard to say where the various strains of flu come from. The best way to try to prevent it is by washing frequently or using hand sanitizer. \n\nBefore I start work everyday, I sanitize my keyboard, and my telephone in case someone before me was using it and  you know, knock on wood, I have not been sick this year. Maybe a slight cold, but not the flu. \n\nMind you, you may not be fortunate enough to escape it, but keeping your hands and property clean are great precautious measures. Check this info out and go to the website as well ;)\n\nWhat Is the Flu?\nFlu is the common name for influenza (pronounced: in-floo-en-za), a virus that attacks the respiratory system.\n\nThere are three different types of the flu virus. Types A and B can cause widespread flu outbreaks (although type B usually causes less severe symptoms than type A). Type C is fairly rare and causes only mild symptoms.\n\nUsually when you're sick with a virus, your body builds up a defense system by making antibodies against it, so you don't get that particular virus strain again. Unfortunately, flu viruses mutate (change) each year, so you aren't protected from the disease forever. Some years the change in the flu virus is slight, so even if you get the flu it's a mild case because the antibodies give you partial protection. But every 10 years or so the flu virus undergoes a major change, and many people get severe cases. These large-scale outbreaks are called epidemics. If they spread worldwide, they're called pandemics.
954608
OK, this may be total coincidence, but I used to get colds as much as anyone, and when I moved in with my husband-to-be, we had one HUGE incompatibility: the temperature in the house.  He keeps the house at about 60 degrees in the winter, and 68 in the summer - much colder what I was used to.  But guess what?  I stopped getting colds?  In 20 years, almost to the day, I have gotten maybe 4 colds, honestly.  So my advice is turn down the thermostat!
249014
Yes I do believe it's worse. I usually only get one bad cold every year. This year, I had two. I missed a total of 6 work days and that's never happened!
1088830
A recent study confirmed your theory.\n\nIt is particularly the case when the feet or hads are cold.\n\nOf course, like someone said, it is not the coldness alone which makes you ill, but, like you said, your "resistance" is somehow lowered (I think it is that the immune response is slower) and that makes you more vulnerable to any pathogen.
729568
The flu is caused by three types (strains) of viruses - influenza A, B and C. Type A is responsible for the deadly influenza pandemics (worldwide epidemics) that strike every 10 to 40 years, whereas type B causes smaller, more localized outbreaks. Type C is less common and causes only mild symptoms. The influenza virus is generally passed from person to person by airborne transmission (i.e., sneezing or coughing). But, the virus can also live for a short time on objects -- such as doorknobs, pens, pencils, keyboards, telephone receivers, and eating or drinking utensils. Therefore, it may also be spread by touching something that has been handled by someone infected with the virus and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes Influenza virus is spread by inhaling droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out by an infected person or by having direct contact with an infected person's secretions. Handling household articles that have been in contact with an infected person or an infected person's secretions may sometimes spread the disease.
1169744
Probably because we're cold after and then when we're cold, our bodies heat us up as much as they can. Or maybe it's because when we're cold, our bodies can take in more germs??
336338
The cold weather itself doesn't bring on the flu, it has more to do with the fact that there is less outside air circulating in the winter (because of closed windows/doors, etc.) and then people have a better chance of coming into contact with the virus.
49601
Don't know - but everyone at our office is going down with a nasty cold/flu type infection too. The cost of living in a society where we all cram into air conditioned offices and have no barriers to easily travelling around the country.
299068
I believe you're asking if getting caught in the rain can make you catch a cold or otherwise get sick.  The answer is no. You'd have to catch a virus to get sick. I was just watching that myth get debunked on a TV show called "Dr. Know." He took two healthy males, dipped their heads in water, and then had them sit in a walk-in freezer for about 45 min. Afterwards, their hair was frosty and the guys were very cold, but they had no running noses or anything yet. He checked back on them a full week later. Nothing. Other people who were briefly exposed to a virus became sick. I was surprised. I was always taught that getting caught in the rain or going outside in the winter w/ freshly-washed, wet hair made people sick.
834040
They both can be very dangerous, but since the flu is more widely spread and probably more life threatening.  I will say the flu is the worse.
949494
Colds can affect you in anyway.. because the nose mouth and ears are all linked it will effected them.  \n\nYou might possible have TMJ its a medical term to do with the jaw. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) occur as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw. \n\n\n1. What is the difference between a cold and the flu?\nAlthough the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. Because they have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell them apart. But generally cold symptoms are much milder than flu. \n\nCommon cold symptoms include:\n\nSore throat \nStuffy nose \nRunny nose \nCough \nMild fever \nThe flu, on the other hand, often causes higher fever, chills, body ache, and fatigue.\n\nBack to top\n\n2. Why isn't there a cold vaccine?\nThe common cold can be caused by nearly 250 different viruses. It's just too difficult for scientists to prepare a vaccine that protects against all of the cold viruses. Also, there's less need for a cold vaccine. Colds are minor infections of the throat, nose, and sinuses. Colds generally come and go with no serious complications. You're miserable for a few days, then it's over.\n\nBack to top\n\n3. Could my cold symptoms actually be allergies?\nIf you are sniffling, but not achy or feverish at all, you may very well have allergies. Also, if your symptoms last longer than two weeks, and you also have red, itchy eyes, the evidence points to allergies. However, it's often hard to tell because people with allergies and asthma are more likely to get colds. They may already have inflamed and irritated lungs - so they are less able to fight off a cold virus. \n\nBack to top\n\n4. What's the best treatment for a cold?\nThere is no cure for the common cold. The most important thing you can do is drink a lot of fluids to keep your body hydrated. This will help prevent another infection from setting in. Avoid drinks like coffee, tea, and colas with caffeine. They rob your system of fluids. As for eating, follow your appetite. If you're not really hungry, try eating simple foods like white rice or broth. \n\nChicken soup is comforting, plus the steam helps break up nasal congestion. Ginger seems to settle an upset stomach. A hot toddy may help you sleep, but beware of mixing alcohol with other cold remedies.\n\nOver-the-counter cold medicines can offer relief from aches and fever. However, doctors no longer believe in suppressing low-grade fever - except in very young and very old people, or people with certain medical conditions such as heart or lung disease. Low-grade fever helps the body fight off infection by suppressing the growth of viruses or bacteria and by activating the immune system. \n\nAspirin. Young people and children should not take aspirin because of the risk of Reye's syndrome. \nDecongestants can help make breathing easier by shrinking swollen mucous membranes in the nose. \nSaline nasal sprays can also open breathing passages. \nCough preparations are not hugely effective. For minor coughs, water and fruit juices probably help the most. \nGargling with salt water can help relieve a sore throat. \nBack to top\n\n5. How effective are natural remedies like zinc, echinacea, and vitamin C? \nSome studies show that zinc nasal sprays help cut a cold's severity and duration. The theory? Zinc sprays may coat the cold virus and prevent it from attaching to nasal cells where they enter the body. But other studies show that zinc is no more effective than placebo. Recent, well-done studies on echinacea show that it is not effective in preventing colds. However, in one study, 120 people with cold-like symptoms took 20 drops of echinacea every two hours for 10 days and had briefer colds than others.\n\nAs for vitamin C's effects, a recent survey of 65 years' worth of studies found limited benefit. The researchers found no eviden