What are symptoms of seasonal change?

People always seem to come down with a cold or the flu when the seasons change. But these dramatic temperature changes aren't the direct cause of these illnesses, experts say.

Rather, the temperature shifts permit a different group of viruses to flourish, and it's these viruses that make people sick, said Dr. Benjamin Kaplan, an internal-medicine physician at Orlando Health in Florida.

"Many studies show that rhinovirus and coronavirus are the two main agents of the common cold," Kaplan told Live Science. "Interestingly, they flourish in cooler weather, such as what we have in spring and fall." 

Related: Is it safe to hold in a sneeze?

Likewise, the influenza virus replicates and spreads most effectively when the air is cold and dry; "hence, people [tend to] get the flu in the wintertime," he said.

Summer illnesses arise from a combination of several factors. People with seasonal allergies often feel congested and develop runny noses and itchy eyes when they're near pollen, mold or grass. Their immune systems may go into overdrive as they react to these allergies, leaving them more vulnerable to viral contagions, Kaplan said.

However, these summer infections are usually milder than those caught in other seasons, he said.

Sometimes, people may mistake their allergies for a cold, Kaplan added. "In fact, it is said that the term 'hay fever' actually comes from the time when farmers would be collecting the hay at the end of summer and became 'sick with fever,'" he said. "But really, they were just suffering from severe exposure to allergens from the fields." 

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To avoid getting sick, it's best to follow this commonsense advice: "Practice good hand washing, get plenty of exercise, eat healthy and make sure to get at least 6 to 8 hours of restorative sleep [a night]," Kaplan said.

Also, don't be hoodwinked by flashy cures. Over-the-counter supplements— including Echinacea, vitamin C and zinc — are not significantly effective in preventing or curing colds, according to scientific studies, Kaplan said.

Can a sudden shift in the weather trigger certain illnesses? Absolutely, says Vikash Modi, M.D., a Piedmont family medicine physician. In fact, climate change is one of the environmental risk factors most doctors consider when assessing their patients for certain conditions.

“Changes in weather are basically challenges to our immune system and to our musculoskeletal system,” Dr. Modi says. “Our bodies get used to a certain climate, and when those things change suddenly, our body has to try to adapt. Unfortunately, sometimes our bodies have a difficult time adjusting, which can trigger an illness.”

Here are six health conditions that can be triggered by a sudden change in the weather:

1. Infections and illnesses of the upper respiratory tract

“Often we'll discover that patients are dressing inappropriately,” Dr. Modi says. “They're not wearing enough layers or they're wearing too many layers, and so their bodies get overheated or too cold. That can affect their immune response and can trigger upper respiratory infections.”

When temperatures are fluctuating, Dr. Modi recommend dressing in light layers.

“Dressing in light layers is incredibly important to protect from cold temperatures in the morning and at night, and you're still able to shed those layers in the warm mid-days or indoor settings,” Dr. Modi says.

2. Chronic sinus and throat issues

Heating and air systems struggle to keep up with fluctuating temperatures, and rapidly alternating heating and cooling systems can dehumidify air.

Dehumidified air filled with pollen, dust, mold and mildew is a perfect storm for severe and chronic sinus and throat issues. So it’s important to change heating and air filters every six months.

“If your filters haven’t been changed in more than six months, they are likely blowing dust, mold and mildew-ridden air on you and your family while you are at home or work,” Dr. Modi says.

Dr. Modi also recommends purchasing a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

3. Seasonal asthma and bronchitis trigged by cold air

Cold air can trigger seasonal asthma or bronchitis. People who have these conditions should be prepared to use an inhaler seasonally to avoid severe and chronic coughing episodes.

“There is a physiological response to cold air that causes your airways to close down and tighten up,” Dr. Modi says. “If you have asthma, that response can be dangerous. You'll see a lot of people who have bronchitis, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath throughout cold temperatures.  So we need to be a little more aggressive with the control of their lung health.”

4. Seasonal allergies from pollen

“Plants get just as confused as people do with the changing weather patterns,” Dr. Modi says. “This means flowers bloom early and release pollen, which can aggravate people with seasonal allergies.”

5. Cold and flu outbreaks

As the weather temporarily improves, it is common for families, co-workers, and school children to gather for group activities. If one person is sick with a cold or the flu, you may see a minor “outbreak” of illness following those gatherings.

“When large groups gather together, we all need to be a little more careful about hand hygiene and covering our mouths and noses with coughing and sneezing,” Dr. Modi says. “It’s also important to frequently clean shared spaces to control the spread of infections.”

6. Muscle and joint injuries

When the weather warms up, people are eager to head outdoors. But being extremely active on muscles and joints that have been hibernating during the cold winter months can lead to injuries.

“A good rule to remember before jumping into those fun physical activities is to start low and go slow, at least initially,” Dr. Modi says. “It might take a few weeks to shake the rust off. But it will be worth the wait.”

Dr. Modi practices at Piedmont Physicians Brookhaven, located at 3925 Peachtree Road Northeast, Suite 300, Brookhaven, GA 30319. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Modi or one of our other primary care providers. Save time, book online.

What happens to your body when seasons change?

When seasons change, our brain sends signals to our body to increase its insulin resistance. Our liver can boost fat production, and our adipose and non-adipose tissues can store fat to prepare for winter.

Can seasonal changes make you feel sick?

Even if you don't have allergies, big seasonal swings in barometric pressure, temperature and wind can irritate your airways and nasal passages — and compromise your immune system's built-in bulwarks against colds and infections, he adds.