why do people only get colds in the winter?

[slickpoppa]

seriously, why is this?

[wacki]

Figure that out and you might win a Nobel prize.

Joseph Mengele School of Medicine had people sit in tubs of various temperatures and the cold didn't make them get any sicker. So not wearing socks appears to be an old wives tale.


Believe it or not winter is not the cold season. It is the flu season, but not always. The influenza pandemic of 1918-19, which killed at least 20 million people worldwide reached it's peak during spring/summer months. Still most flu outbreaks occur during the winter months.

As for many people getting runny noses, that may be due to cold stress and not an increased amount of colds.

[rusty JEDI]

Something about spending more time indoors and people being brought closer together and touching everything so it gets passed around easier.

rJ

[wacki]

True, but that doesn't explain why the flu still breaks out in areas like Chicago, but it doesn't explain why it breaks out in areas that are warm year round. But to be honest with you, I personally think that is one of the biggest factors.