Research confirms it: cold temperatures associated with onset of flu

Oulu University study backs up empirical folk wisdom

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According to researchers at the University of Oulu, cold weather is associated with the onset of the 'flu and the common cold.
      This has always been common knowledge, but this is the first time when the fact has been scientifically verified.
      The research indicated clearly that when temperatures drop, the risk of catching 'flu and getting a sore throat grows.
     
The study was conducted by monitoring the health of 892 conscripts in the Kainuu Brigade, garrisoned in Northeastern Finland, over one year from 2004 to 2005. They served in the army both in summer and in winter, and the temperature differences during the study were up to nearly 60°C. This is not by any means an impossible temperature variation for Finland, especially in the north.
      During that period a total of 643 respiratory inflammations were diagnosed among the conscripts, of which most were common colds and throat infections.
      The majority of these cases occurred in the temperature range of 0° and -5°C on average. In addition, the study indicated that prior to the onset of the 'flu, the temperature had already been going down for a couple of days.
      ”The exposure to cold has taken place through the skin and airways alike. It is likely that the cooling of respiratory passages has an effect on the onset of 'flu”, reports research scientist Tiina Mäkinen from the University of Oulu.
      Dr. Mäkinen advises people to avoid hard physical exercise in cold weather.
     
Actually cold weather is not the only reason for the onset of colds and sniffles. Other factors are the changes in virus activity and the alteration of the human body’s ability to defend itself in differing seasons.
      It has been known already previously that in the winter months mortality in Finland grows. The effect of respiratory infections on the growth in mortality is around 20%.
      The results of the study made by the researchers at the University of Oulu, the Finnish Defence Forces, and at the National Public Health Institute have been published in the scientific journal Respiratory Medicine.


Links:
  University of Oulu
  Respiratory Medicine

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