Colds, though not caused by weather, are picked up when you come into contact with an infected person or object. Shaking hands with someone who's sick and then touching your own eyes, nose, or mouth is one way to catch a cold. Inhaling droplets of the virus that are suspended in the air is another way. Schools open in the fall, increasing the number of students in close contact with one another. Colder months cause people to spend more time indoors, again increasing the chances that viruses will spread from person to person.
Cold weather can make the nasal passages' lining drier and more vulnerable to viral infection.
Keep in mind that it's still important to dress properly in both cold AND warm weather. A body that gets too chilled can become prey to frostbite or hypothermia, and overheating can easily cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke. For more information on colds and dressing for the weather conditions, check out BluePrint for Health. Click here to read their full bios . The Ask Our Experts pages are for general informational purposes only, and are not a substitute for professional medical attention.