Have you ever heard someone say something like “we just need a really good cold spell, than everyone won’t be so sick..”? I’ve heard it a bunch lately, especially with the crazy weather the past few days – c’mon today was 72 degrees outside!

So… I was curious if this actually holds up with what researchers say. The little bit of research I’ve done doesn’t really clearly state if this is true or not, but apparently recently (via Voice of America) NY researchers have found in guinea pig testing that the influenza virus “remains in the air longer when the air is cold and dry” among many other things. Doesn’t really instill in me a sense that believing if it just gets colder around here, maybe all these viruses that make us sick will be dying or anything.

So, why then are we more sick over the winter months? Apparently the standard belief (via USA Weekend Mag) is that since it usually is colder, we are all indoors more and around others a lot more than the summertime when we are all outdoors and not so closely together. Being closer together raises the likelihood of spreading all the good stuff that gets us sick. Ah the joy. Oh yes – and since it’s usually less humid (i.e. dry), our nasal passages are more susceptible too.

What got me thinking about this? The cough and cold I’ve had lately, not to mention, my daughter having for what seemed like 3 weeks – but seems to be almost gone for her now. No question in my mind how it works when you have kids – they get it (usually from school), pass it to their siblings, and eventually us parents get it (usually last too) … EVERY TIME