Khaberni - Recent scientific evidence suggests that the relationship between cold weather and respiratory diseases is more complex than previously thought.
Scientific research has shown that low temperatures themselves do not cause colds and flu, but create ideal conditions for the spread of respiratory viruses through several complex mechanisms.
Cold weather affects several factors including biological, environmental, and social, which increases the susceptibility of individuals to respiratory diseases.
One of the reasons for the increased infection of people with these diseases, according to research, is that viruses that cause respiratory diseases such as influenza and rhinoviruses remain infectious for longer periods in cold and dry weather.
Also, the evaporation of respiratory droplets in dry air leads to the formation of microscopic particles that remain suspended in the air longer, increasing the chances of transmission.
Physiological effects on the body
Inhaling cold air leads to contraction of the blood vessels in the respiratory system, reducing blood flow and weakening the local immune response. Additionally, the dryness of the winter air reduces the protective mucus layer in the nose and throat, which serves as the first line of defense against respiratory pathogens.
Environmental and behavioral factors
Cold weather conditions cause people to spend more time indoors and in crowded places, facilitating the transmission of viruses through respiratory droplets. Winter is also associated with a lack of exposure to sunlight, leading to decreased levels of Vitamin D, which is essential for optimal immune system function.
Experts confirm that those with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma experience a worsening of symptoms during the cold months due to increased sensitivity of the airways to cold and dry air.
Researchers have concluded that the spread of respiratory diseases in winter is not the result of a single factor, but rather the result of a complex interaction between viral, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors that collectively increase the susceptibility of the population to infection.
