As we welcome the colder months here in Australia, many people are wondering how they can best protect themselves, their families and their workplaces from illness.
During the winter months, there’s often a lot of illness going around – but why do people get sick in the winter? Let’s take a look at why the colder temperatures bring more sickness, and what you can do to reduce your chance of getting sick, protect the community, and ensure your workplace, school and family remain fit and healthy this winter.
Why do people get sick in the winter?
In the colder months, people spend more time indoors. Being in enclosed spaces inside makes it easier for viruses to circulate from person to person.
Viruses can also live longer in colder temperatures and low humidity, increasing the time in which a person can be infected by the germs.
In addition, the cold dry air that comes with the winter months can weaken the immune system. Weakened immune systems make people more susceptible to illness. There is also some research to suggest that lack of regular sunlight exposure can further weaken the immune system.
You may have been told that you can catch a cold by standing in the rain, wearing wet clothing or going to bed with wet hair, but this is a myth.
Common winter illnesses
With the lower temperatures comes increased prevalence of illnesses. Some of the common illnesses in winter include:
The common cold
As the name suggests, the cold is very common, and is one of the main reasons for sick days and missed days of school in the winter. The common cold is caused by a virus. There are more than 200 cold viruses, the most common of which is the rhinovirus.
Symptoms of the common cold:
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Mild fever
- Sneezing
- Coughing
Influenza or ‘the flu’
The flu is a respiratory illness caused by an influenza virus. The flu is spread through airborne droplets, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You may also become sick from touching infected surfaces. Flu viruses are ever-evolving, which is why the flu vaccine is updated every year.
The flu is typically more serious than a common cold, and is a leading cause for hospitalisation during flu season (which peaks from around June to September in Australia).
Symptoms of the flu:
- Fever
- Body aches
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sometimes gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhoea
Respiratory illnesses
There are many different types of respiratory illnesses which are more common in winter, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This virus causes respiratory infections in children and adults, which has symptoms very similar to a cold, including difficulty breathing or wheezing. Respiratory illnesses are also spread from person to person via airborne droplets or from touching a contaminated surface.
How to avoid getting sick in winter
While illness seems to be everywhere in the winter, there are things you can do to avoid getting sick and to support the health of you, your team and your family.
Wash hands
Regular, thorough handwashing with soap and water, or the use of a good quality hand sanitiser, remains one of the most effective ways of avoiding illness.
Avoid sick people
Avoid close contact with people that you know are sick.
Stay home
If you’re sick, stay home until you’re better to avoid spreading germs. Staying home while you’re sick is one of the best ways to slow the spread of illness.
Get the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is updated every year. Make sure you’re up to date with the influenza vaccine to help offer some protection from the flu.
Keep surfaces clean
Use an antibacterial surface spray to regularly clean high contact areas such as door handles, phones, computer keyboards and children’s toys.
Eat well and stay hydrated
Eat a diet of nutritious food to support your physical wellbeing. A healthy diet and adequate hydration can help support your immune system.
Remain active
It can be hard to find the motivation to get outside in the cold weather, but remaining active throughout the colder months is a great way of supporting your wellness. Exercise helps keep your body and respiratory system healthy, which can be helpful in fighting off sickness and recovering from illness. Spending time outside is also a great way of offsetting the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Medical supplies to support winter wellness
Cold & flu relief
If the cold or flu strikes, make sure you have medication on hand to help manage the worst of the symptoms. Apohealth cold & flu tablets can offer some relief while your body takes care of the immune response and you start to fight off the sickness.
Cough medication
Coughs can come hand in hand with respiratory viruses. Chesty coughs can linger for a while, and can be especially uncomfortable for children. Find relief from chesty coughs with medication such as Benadryl chesty forte.
Asthma relief
1 in 10 Australians have asthma, and the cold air in winter can exacerbate the condition for many people. See your doctor for an up to date asthma plan if you need, and make sure you have asthma relief such as an inhaler and preventer on hand to support your health during the lower temperatures that winter brings.
Masks
By now, we’re all used to seeing masks in use to help slow the spread of illness. For those with weakened immune systems or those that seek an extra layer of protection, a surgical mask or n95 mask can be worn during the colder months when illness is rampant.
Be prepared for this cold season
Here at LFA First Response, we have a wide range of medical supplies to help support the health of your family, classroom and team, and to help you recover from illness when it strikes. Get in touch with us today to prepare for the cold season ahead.
