Why are there more head colds and viruses around in the winter? (UK)?
922344
I believe that it is becuase since it is cold outside, people tend to stay in more, allowing for easy spreading of viruses.\n\nDon't quote me on it\n\n\nR
330246
The most common during the winter season is Upper Respitory Infection and can become quite nasty if not treated.  Some have a quick onset of URI's.\n\nAcute respiratory infections can affect both the upper or lower respiratory systems. An Upper Respiratory Infection or URI involves the ears, nose, throat or sinuses. Infections of the lower respiratory system, usually referred to as LRI or Lower Respiratory Infections involve the trachea or wind pipe, bronchial tubes (which bring air into the lungs) and the lungs themselves. When a respiratory infection strikes, one or both of these systems can be involved.\nDiagnosis is made on the history of the symptoms, their progression, onset and degree, degree of fever, and examination of the head, ears, nose, throat and lungs, if indicated. Usually the combination of medical history and physical examination can make the diagnosis of URI versus LRI or both. To determine how severe the illness is, or whether complications have set in, diagnostic laboratory testing such a cellular blood count (CBC) may be necessary. When it is necessary to determine a specific cause of secondary infection, cultures of the ears, nose, throat or sputum may be indicated. To determine the extent and degree of secondary infection involving the sinus' and/or lungs, a chest or sinus x-rays may be necessary. \n\nBoth URI and LRI are caused by viruses that are going around in the community. Exposure is inevitable unless you never leave your house. The key to prevention is keeping your self in good health and protecting yourself in periods of high risk.
172618
Eat healthy and you should probably increase your intake of vitamin c a day, 500mg is pretty good, you can get that from supplement.\nDrink lots of water.\nSLEEP is really really important. It helps the body to fight the virus, rejuvenate you and helps build your immune system.\nIf the people around you have the cold, I try to be as careful as possible with stuff like dishes. Make sure you use hot water and bleach when cleaning. Lysol helps kill the bacteria around the house or too.\nHope this helps ya!!
392503
You're absolutely right. There are millions, if not billions, of these 'common colds'.\n\nThe reason for it being so is because the viruses keep mutating and shuffling their genetic materials, thus producing new strains- all the time. These new strains are infective to us and no vaccine is able to stop them, as the vaccine is prepared to stop the older strains.\n\nSo far, take for example the rhinovirus- the main offender, has more than 80 strains and counting... What more to say of the rest of the viruses that cause the 'common cold', with their own multitude of genetic strains?
47476
People who can't spell, like you, get more colds. It's nature's way of punishing you for being stupid.
108234
I don't know.  Do your eyes hurt?  When you have a cold sometimes your entire head hurts.  Maybe allergies instead of cold.
928883
No,no,no,That isn't the reason at all,the real reason is that there is an "R"in the month and at this time of the year,Christmas is not far off,it happens to me all the time.Wait until May,the problem will probably resolve itself without the need for medical intervention.Good luck and don't worry,the thoughts of millions of concerned people around the world,are with you.
482499
Could be a viral cold or Influenza (Flu), Take time out, eat fluids. Zinc, Vit C, but most important REST. It's your body telling you, Listen to it, Don't ignore it.
379060
It's not.. Because the nasopharynx infection is caused by any viral (mononucleosic, adenoviral, etc), bacterias (corynebacterium, arcanobacterium, streptococcus A, neisseria, chlamydia pneumoniae, etc) or any physical wound on nasopharynx. Not because of the weather.\nMaybe what you mean is only common cold.. There is only one similarity between the nasopharyngitis and common cold, it's about the viral which can be the cause of both.
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.
738971
Signs of a cold coming.
848203
I just want to clear this up for the majority of the population who reads this, YOU CANNOT GET A COLD OR THE FLU FROM GOING OUTSIDE. The common cold and influenza are viruses and is only caused by being in contact with the germ. pnuemonia is a different story.
657947
You get a cold from a virus.  If walking on the beach will make you more susceptible to the virus then yes you can.
511685
thecnaly  no  because its  thy cold most of thy year
1132089
Im not sure but I know a lot of people who have been sick lately, so maybe that is related to that.
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!
16240
From Wikipedia:\n\nOne possible explanation for "flu season" is that, because people are indoors more often during the winter, they are in close contact more often, and this promotes transmission from person to person. Another is that cold temperatures lead to drier air, which may dehydrate mucous, preventing the body from effectively expelling virus particles. The virus may also linger longer on exposed surfaces (doorknobs, countertops, etc.) in colder temperatures. Increased travel and visitation due to the Christmas season may also play a role.