You probably think the worst part of winter is a runny nose or a lingering cough. But medical data suggests a much darker reality. According to clinical observations cited by the WHO, major Indian hospitals report a staggering 30% to 50% spike in heart attack cases during peak winter. The cold isn't just making you sneeze, it’s physically tightening the grip on your heart.

Medical data consistently shows a sharp spike in upper respiratory tract infections between November and February. In fact, adults who typically get two to three colds a year often experience the majority of them during these specific months. Understanding why cold increases in winter is not just about staying warm; it is about understanding how our daily habits and environment change during the colder months.

 

 

Smoking during winter increases the chances of pneumonia or bronchitis. Smoking harms the cilia on your respiratory tract that help filter mucus and debris from your lungs. The cold and dry air causes the cilia to work slower and less effectively. When you introduce cigarette smoke to this environment, the cilia become paralyzed and unable to help cleanse your lungs. In addition, toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke suppress the immune system by interfering with the function of your immune system cells, therefore you are more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses due to impaired immune response and compromised ciliated defenses against infections.

Quitting smoking will be an effective means for strengthening the immune system against pathogens that can cause illness in winter.

 

It's easy to believe that we get colds only from direct contact with someone who's coughing, but the primary contributors to our frequent colds during the winter months are those who have not practiced good hygiene. Many winter viruses like influenza and rhinoviruses have hard exteriors, allowing them to survive, for long periods (up to days) if left on certain types of surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, stair rails, keyboards, etc.). If you don't wash your hands frequently, you're constantly passing those germs to your nose, mouth and/or eyes from wherever you come into contact with them.

Being diligent about the way we maintain hygiene is absolutely essential for preventing the transmission of these viruses. Practicing good respiratory etiquette means that we should cover our mouth when we cough and/or sneeze, wear a mask when in crowded areas, maintain a safe distance from people who are sick, and regularly wash our hands with both soap and water.

These simple, everyday practices can help prevent the viruses from bypassing our immune systems and keep us from getting repeatedly infected as the season continues on.

 

Mental stress may negatively affect one's health through physical means, yet the physical aspect of the stress occurs because we are so busy with our lives that we don't notice it. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has created great stresses to many as well as holiday planning and with it comes the outside negative horizon of shorter days. When a person is stressed, their body produces excessive amounts of cortisol which will have an adverse effect on the immune system.

Because of chronic stress, the number of lymphocytes (white blood cells) available to fight infection is greatly reduced. So when you are confronted with a virus for the common cold, your body has no energy to fight it, so you get sick. Therefore, constantly feeling ill, monitor your stress level. Managing your mental health is a direct way to manage your physical health and prevent winter cold causes from taking hold.

 

Your immune system is directly linked to how well you sleep. Your body secretes proteins called cytokines when in a state of deep sleep (REM). These cytokines work to help fight infection and reduce the inflammatory response caused by a viral infection. The result of being

sleep-deprived means that you will produce fewer cytokines, thus leaving you with a weakened defense against viral infections.

 

In the winter, we often go off our regular sleep schedule because less sunlight makes it difficult for our bodies to adjust to seasonal changes in light and darkness or we may attend more

late-night holiday parties. Not getting enough sleep, especially when your body is in distress because it can't get rested, leaves your body very vulnerable to catching a cold. It can take 7-9

 

hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to maintain your health and build a strong immune system to protect you from becoming sick during the winter months.

 

Surprisingly, by staying indoors to escape the cold temperatures outside your home, you may be making yourself sick due to a lack of ventilation. The result is often that when the weather outside is cold, most people spend the majority of their time inside with all their windows and doors closed, thus creating a “viral incubator” effect on the air. Therefore, if one individual becomes sick with a virus, then all those who breathe the recirculated indoor air will be exposed to the same level of contamination.

 

 

The Elderly: As we age, our "thirst mechanism" weakens. In winter, many seniors stop drinking enough water, leading to thicker blood. Combined with cold-induced vessel constriction, this is why the 30-50% heart attack spike is most prevalent in this age group.

 

Children: Kids have narrower airways and developing immune systems. Because they spend more time in close contact at schools, they are exposed to higher "viral loads." For them, winter isn't just a cold season; it's a season of constant reinfection.

 

If you do catch a chill, these traditional remedies can help soothe symptoms:

 

Understanding these triggers allows you to take better precautions. Here is how to stay healthy:

Catching a cold might feel inevitable in winter, but it doesn't have to be. By understanding the lifestyle factors why cold increases in winter—from smoking and stress to poor sleep and hygiene, you can take proactive steps to shield yourself. Small changes in your daily routine can build a fortress around your immune system.

However, if you find yourself falling sick repeatedly or if a cold lingers for more than 10 days, it might be a sign of an underlying immunity issue. The Department of Internal Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital offers comprehensive check-ups and adult immunization programs to keep your immunity robust throughout the season.

 

Q: Can you catch a cold from going outside with wet hair?

Answer - this is a common myth. The reason you catch a cold is because of a virus, not because of being cold or wet. That said, if you are extremely cold, this may cause temporary stress on your immune system, making it more susceptible to an exposure to the virus at that time.

 

Q: Is taking antibiotics effective for treating a winter cold?

Ans. The answer is no. While bacteria cause infections (for example, strep throat), viruses cause the common cold. Therefore, taking an antibiotic while you have a common cold will not help you get better and may increase the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. The best treatments for a common cold include rest and hydration.

 

Q: Does taking Vitamin C help to prevent colds?

Ans. Studies indicate that taking Vitamin C as a supplement does not prevent individuals from getting a cold; however, studies have found that taking Vitamin C regularly may reduce the length of time a person is sick with a cold by about 24 hours. The best way to obtain Vitamin C is from eating foods that contain high levels of Vitamin C, such as oranges and guavas, rather than relying solely on supplements.

 

Q: Why is my nose always runny in winter even if I am not sick?

Ans. This is a condition called "cold-induced rhinitis." It is your nose's way of trying to warm and humidify the cold air before it reaches your lungs. The extra fluid production is a protective mechanism, not necessarily an infection.

 

Q: Why is my heart more at risk in the winter?

Ans: Cold air causes "vasoconstriction" (narrowing of blood vessels) to maintain core heat. This increases blood pressure and puts extra strain on the heart, leading to the 30-50% increase in cardiac events cited by the WHO.

 

Q: Does Vitamin C prevent colds?

Ans: It doesn’t prevent them entirely, but regular intake (from oranges or guavas) can reduce the duration of a cold by about 24 hours.

 

Q: Is a runny nose always a sign of infection in winter?

Ans: No. "Cold-induced rhinitis" is common; it’s just your nose producing extra moisture to warm up the cold air you're breathing.

 

Q: When should I see a doctor for a winter cough?

Ans: If the cough is accompanied by high fever, shortness of breath, or if it lasts longer than 10-14 days, you should consult a specialist at SGRH immediately.