Does cold weather make you sick? Can you get sick from being cold? These winter weather questions demand answers! And we have them.

While winter weather may have something to do with your health and decreased immunity, there’s actually a larger, lesser-known culprit that can lead to illnesses: Dry air.

Does Cold Weather Make You Sick?

Winter weather causes temperatures to drop, but humidity levels dwindle as well. Just like too much moisture can lead to health complications in the summertime, too little moisture in winter can be equally troubling for you and your family!

“You’re more likely to get a cold because your mucus is not as able to catch things that you breathe in [during winter].” – Daniel Allen, M.D.

So, does cold weather make you sick? Not necessarily—cold weather doesn’t work alone.

Can you get sick from being cold? No, but cold air is dry air and that’s the problem.

Illnesses That Trend During Winter Weather Season

In order to protect your family from the illnesses often associated with winter weather, you need humidity control! By ensuring your home’s humidity level falls between 40–60%* year-round to help prevent airborne viruses, allergy and asthma symptoms, skin irritation, newborn health concerns, and more.

Tackling Influenza

We’re all a little too familiar with the flu season. Chances are that you’ve even had the flu in recent years.

While we typically associate the start of flu season with cold, winter weather, it’s really the humidity that causes the flu virus to penetrate your air, wreak havoc on your lungs, dry out your throat, and more. Results from a study provided by the Public Library of Science echoes this, by sharing that “higher humidity levels indoors can significantly reduce the infectivity of influenza virus particles released by coughing.” In fact, this study found that environments with 23% humidity or less allowed 70–77% of virus-sized particles to remain infectious. However, when environments clock roughly 43% humidity, only 14% of virus-size particles remained infectious!

Here’s the good news, though: Influenza is preventable and proper humidity control can help you tackle it, no matter the winter weather forecast. Don’t simply rely on annual flu shots for protection. Optimize it with help from an AprilAire Whole-House Humidifier.

Battling Bronchitis

Another familiar foe that comes with the winter weather, bronchitis symptoms can be exacerbated by dry air, causing inflammation deep in the lungs. “Humidity is good for lung health,” shares Michael J. Simoff, M.D. “Those who suffer from acute or chronic bronchitis should consider a Whole-House Humidifier to quell the effects dry winter weather has on their lungs.”

The Sinusitis Struggle

Living with sinusitis can be all pain and no gain. Your sinuses help you produce mucus that moisturizes the inside of your nose, capturing harmful particles before they make their way deep into your body—making sinus health a winter weather must!

Mark A. Zacharek, M.D. explains, “humidifiers can help nasal congestion in that they provide more moisture and humidity within the nose.” Seconded by Amber Luong, M.D., PhD, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houseton, “humidified air is good for sinusitis, especially in the winter.”

Avoiding Exacerbated Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a pretty common condition that can impact respiratory systems year-round. Though, winter weather and accompanying dry air can certainly trigger more asthma attacks as airways tighten. The remedy? Humidity!

According to Healthline.com, “your airways are lined with a thin layer of fluid. When you breathe in dry air, that fluid evaporates faster than it can be replaced. Dry airways become irritated and swollen, which worsens asthma symptoms. Cold air also causes airways to produce a substance called ‘histamine’ which is the same chemical your body makes during an allergy attack, causing wheezing and other asthma symptoms.”

Winter Weather Might Lead to These Health Impacts

Though these symptoms are not always associated with a specific illness, winter weather can be irritating, causing dry eyes, itchy skin, nosebleeds, and more. And yes, humidity control can help!

Because the air outside is so dry when winter weather hits, the water in your body tends to evaporate quicker, which leaves your skin, eyes, and nasal passages dry and itchy. Drinking plenty of fluids during the wintertime is recommended to help prevent dehydration associated with evaporation, but alleviating these irritating manifestations with an AprilAire Whole-House Humidifier can help you and your family achieve desired wellness this winter.

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*While balanced humidity exists between 40 and 60%, it’s important to remember that outdoor temperature and other home factors will impact what relative humidity level is attainable and

recommended for your house. Talk with your AprilAire Healthy Air Professional to learn more.