A winter germ storm has been brewing, with all the familiar symptoms – coughing, sneezing, runny or stuffy noses, sore throats, and even fevers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the amount of respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is elevated across most areas of the country.1 And thought it’s classified as decreasing, there should still be heightened awareness of illnesses circulating as many areas still have high and very high activity.1
The “big three” of respiratory viruses – influenza, SARS-CoV-2 (the germ that causes COVID) and respiratory syncytial virus (aka “RSV”) – are present as ever in our seasonal mix, and illnesses seem to be peaking all at once.
Additionally, other germs that cause cold or flu-like illnesses – like rhinovirus, strep, parainfluenza, and even other coronaviruses – are all on the rise.
It’s even possible to suffer from more than one illness, like flu and strep, at the same time. In fact, in a recent study, scientists showed that 11% of sick patients were infected with more than one germ (and as many as five) at the same time!2
What Should We Do Now?
- Make sure your vaccinations are up to date. It’s not too late to get vaccinated against the most common viruses, especially COVID, the flu, and RSV.
- Consider avoiding individuals with cold-like symptoms or even wearing a mask in indoor, crowded spaces or where sick people are more likely to be present, like healthcare facilities.
- Encourage anyone with symptoms to stay home.
- Increase your hygiene practices to avoid the spread of germs and cross contamination of surfaces.
- Seek treatment if you are experiencing symptoms.
What Should We Expect Next?
Peak winter germ season will likely continue through February and early March and then start to decline as the warm weather returns. Not only does warmer weather mean more people spend time outdoors in better ventilation, but the body’s immune system (aka germ fighter) works better when air is warmer and more humid; it’s all down to the biology inside our nose!<sup>3</sup>
Read our blog to learn more about the fascinating science behind how your nose knows it’s cold outside.
Plus, it’s not just our immune systems that malfunction when it’s cold and dry outside. Do you suffer from dry, chapped hands in winter months? Click here to learn more about the biology and what you can do to prevent the “winter hand blues.”
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory Virus Data Channel Weekly Snapshot. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/snapshot.html. Accessed 01/24/2024
2. Nickbakhsh S, Mair C, Matthews L, Reeve R, Johnson PCD, Thorburn F, von Wissmann B, Reynolds A, McMenamin J, Gunson RN, Murcia PR. Virus-virus interactions impact the population dynamics of influenza and the common cold. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 Dec 26;116(52):27142-27150.
3. Huang D, Taha MS, Nocera AL, Workman AD, Amiji MM, Bleier BS. Cold exposure impairs extracellular vesicle swarm-mediated nasal antiviral immunity. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2023 Feb;151(2):509-525.e8.