Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Why illnesses spread more easily in autumn and winter
A GP explains why people often catch more illnesses in autumn and winter.
Cold weather is linked to increased activity and spread of viruses that cause flu and common colds.
Dry air can dry the lining of the nose, reducing one barrier that helps trap viruses.
People also spend more time indoors with windows and doors closed, which can limit ventilation and help germs spread.
Returning to work and school after summer brings people into closer contact, and children may bring home bugs they have not encountered before.
Busy schedules, poor sleep and an unhealthy diet can also make it harder to support the immune system.
Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu, but it does not prevent common colds.
Viruses that cause flu and the common cold tend to be more active and spread faster in cold weather, according to GP Dr Nikki Ramskill.
Cold, dry air can dry the mucus membranes in nasal passages, reducing a barrier against viruses.
People spend more time indoors in autumn and winter, often with windows and doors closed, which can reduce ventilation and allow germs to accumulate.
Returning to work and school after the summer break brings people into closer contact with others and circulating viruses.
Poor sleep, an unhealthy diet and busy schedules can also make it harder to support the immune system.
- Who
- Dr Nikki Ramskill, a GP and founder of The Female Health Doctor Clinic, explains seasonal illness patterns.
- What
- The story explains why illnesses spread more easily in autumn and winter.
- When
- Autumn and winter, as temperatures fall and people return to work and school after summer.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Viruses can be more active in cold weather, while dry air, indoor crowding and reduced ventilation can increase exposure to germs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Viruses that cause the flu and the common cold tend to be more active in cold weather and circulate and spread quicker in autumn and winter
We tend to close windows and doors more, which reduces ventilation and increases the likelihood of germs accumulating and spreading between people inside the house.
A lot of the time their immune systems won’t have encountered most of these viruses and bugs before so will be still learning how to manage them.
Autumn can be a busy time of year, and if you’re burning the candle at both ends, are not sleeping very well, and aren’t eating a healthy diet, then you’re not giving your body what it needs to keep your immune system as optimal as possible
Many people go on holiday, spend time away from others and spend more time outside.
People return to work and school and spend more time around other people and viruses.
- Expert
- Dr Nikki Ramskill
- Expert role
- GP and founder of The Female Health Doctor Clinic
- Flu virus
- Influenza viruses
- Common cold virus
- Usually rhinoviruses
- Published
- 2026-10-12 08:14 UTC
Sources
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