Health. Why are so many people catching the « diet » at the moment?

In general, colds and other “colds” occur more frequently between the beginning of autumn and the beginning of spring. But why do the rates of viral (and bacterial) ENT infections increase in autumn/winter when the thermometer is in free fall?

Several factors come into play. “Inhalation of cold air cools the lining of the upper respiratory tract. This can disrupt the proper functioning of infection-fighting mechanisms,” indicates the Ameli.fr site of the Assurance Maladie.

A lack… of clothes

Another element, “the cold also causes a reduction in the diameter of the bronchi, which sometimes hinders breathing”. At the level of the respiratory tract, the cilia responsible for eliminating toxins are less effective: the risk of colds and bronchitis increases accordingly.

Furthermore, “The concentration of the population in confined and poorly ventilated spaces (public transport in particular) increases the risk of transmission of infections. »

Finally, at the end of summer and at the beginning of autumn, we are more likely to forget to cover ourselves sufficiently in the face of the already cooler temperatures, because the sun warms up a little more. This exposes us to sudden changes in temperature.

Our body, thus weakened by these brutal variations of hot and cold, is then more exposed to the attacks of microbes.