Coronavirus: Is The UK In For A Winter Of ‘Super Colds'?

Thousands of people are reporting coming down with bad colds following the relaxing of coronavirus lockdown measures

- Dr Jeremy Rossman

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WHY DO WE GET A 'COMMON COLD' SEASON AND TYPICALLY WHEN DOES IT OCCUR IN THE UK?

Every winter we have the cold and flu' season when cases of respiratory virus infections increase. These winter respiratory viruses include the flu virus, which can cause severe infections, and rhinoviruses, which causes more mild 'colds', though there are many other respiratory viruses that spread in the winter.

In the UK, the cold and flu season is typically between October and March and coincides with the onset of winter weather. It is thought that there are three main reasons for this seasonal increase in respiratory virus infections.

First, many viruses transmitted in the air by aerosols and respiratory droplets survive and spread better in cold, dry weather. Second, our behaviour tends to change in the winter, with people spending more time with others indoors where respiratory viruses transmit better. Finally, for many people, our immune systems do not perform as well in the winter. This is partly due to the lower levels of sunlight causing a reduction in the levels of vitamin D and melatonin, both of which play roles in the functioning of our immune systems.