Seasonal Sniffles: What's Weather Got to Do with It?

When the seasons change, we often experience a whirlwind of weather patterns over the course of just a few days.

On Saturday, you're sporting shorts in the warm sunshine; Sunday's chill leaves you scrambling for extra blankets. By Monday, you've got a headache, and the sniffles aren't far behind. So how much does that wacky weather have to do with our runny noses or sore throats?

Understand the cold-weather connection.

Conventional wisdom tells us that cold weather—or getting chilled or overheated—can cause a cold. But these conditions alone really don't affect the development of a cold, according to Health Canada.

So, why do most colds occur in the fall and winter, as well as when the seasons are changing? Cold weather tends to force people inside, where it's much easier for germs to spread. Plus, once school starts in August or September, kids are spending more time inside with other kids, where they are more likely to pass germs back and forth.

Also, it's easier for most common cold-causing viruses to survive when humidity is low, such as during the colder months. All that dryness also makes the lining of our nasal passages dryer and more vulnerable to viral infection.

Keep sniffles away.

The best way to prevent colds is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. When you are suffering from cold and sinus congestion, over-the-counter medications can help relieve those painful sinus symptoms and clear the fog.