Why We Are Getting Colds This Spring

Just when it looks like spring is finally approaching, you come down with a cold. While the biggest season occurs in the fall, spring is a second peak season for the common cold. There are several reasons for this:

• In both spring and fall, seasonal allergies can increase a person’s vulnerability to infections. Inflammation in your nose caused by seasonal allergies makes it easier for viruses to enter. Plus, since your immune system is busy dealing with your allergies, it has fewer resources available to defend you from other intruders.
• Even those who don’t have allergies may find that the variable spring weather and wind can cause irritation in your nose and throat, challenging your immune system’s natural defenses. When your body is exposed to an infection, it secretes interferons, which are important for blocking viruses. Unfortunately, that natural response is weakened in cooler weather, allowing viruses to replicate more easily. Thus, big changes in temperature can result in more colds.?
• People are more likely to head outdoors in early spring when temperatures start to climb, but what feels like a mild day after a cold winter is still cool enough to encourage the spread of cold viruses.??
• Spring break may also contribute to spreading colds because people are traveling and increasing their exposure to new viruses.?

So what can you do to prevent colds this spring? Wash your hands, dress appropriately for the weather, exercise and stay well hydrated. Experts also suggest using a humidifier to keep your nasal passages moist, which makes them more effective at keeping germs out. If you do feel allergies or a spring cold coming on, be careful with the leading OTC cold medications, which are designed to block your symptoms but can damage your respiratory lining in the process. Instead, look for an OTC made from natural ingredients like Biovanta, which is designed to work at the source of your symptoms -- the upper respiratory inflammation that causes them. After all, you don’t want to spend those first spring days stuck at home when you could be out smelling the flowers.