The weather has been changing from hot to cold recently, and with each change, our bodies are facing different challenges. While it’s true that hot days rarely make us sick, we need to be more vigilant on colder days.
When winter comes, the temperature begins to drop, we call it “winter”. Season of Viral and Bacterial Infections. So the question is: how do we protect ourselves? The answer is simple: take care of ourselves.
The drop in temperature brings about two main phenomena. The first happened in our environment. People tend to spend more time in enclosed spaces, which facilitates the spread of infectious agents.
Viruses and bacteria spread through the air if people in closed environments get sick, increasing the risk of infection for everyone. The solution to this problem is ventilation. It is critical to open doors and windows regularly to refresh the air and reduce pathogen concentrations.
The second phenomenon occurs inside us.As the temperature drops, our immune system, especially lymphocytes, will reduce their capacity and resistance.this transient immunosuppression make us more susceptible to disease.
Additionally, cold temperatures can affect “cilia,” the little hairs in our respiratory system that help expel mucus and bacteria. In the cold, their movements slow down, making it difficult to clean the respiratory system.
So, as the cold sets in, we not only face a germ-infested environment, but also a temporarily weakened immune system and a less efficient respiratory system. This makes us more susceptible to the following diseases: Pharyngitis, laryngitis, otitis media, tracheitis, bronchitis and even pneumonias.
In conclusion, it is crucial to be aware of these changes and take preventive measures. Regularly ventilate homes and offices, dress appropriately, and practice good hand hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. Remember, while we cannot control the weather, we can control our reactions to it.
*Dr. Daniel López Rosetti is a physician at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) Faculty of Medicine (MN 62540). Chair of the Stress Section of the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH). He is the author of Emotions and Feelings (Ed. Planeta, 2017), Balance, and more. How we think, how we feel, how we decide. user manual. ” (Ed. Planet, 2019) and so on.
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