Weather and illness, just an old wives tale

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Get ready for some big changes in the weather.  Friday's snow will soon melt away as winter temperatures soar into the 50's by Tuesday. 

But, don't get used to the warmer weather. Forecasters are calling for a high of 18 degrees next Thursday.

While many people believe big temperature fluctuations can make people more vulnerable to sickness, doctors say that's not true.

St. Vincent's Health infectious disease doctor Chris Belcher says the idea that people are more prone to illness because of changes in temperature is an old wives tale, just like walking around with wet hair in cold weather.

"It's really not understood well why flu comes in winter but there are several other factors that affect peoples' ability to catch these viruses," said Belcher.

Belcher says the idea that people are more prone to illness because of changes in temperature is an old wives tale just like walking around with wet hair in cold weather.

Belcher says the flu virus can and does hit communities any time of the year.  He says we see more flu cases during the cold weather months because it is easier for the virus to spread.

"In winter we see a couple of things. We see people clustered inside a little bit more where they are closer and able to touch. One of the other factors that plays into it is in winter the drop in relative humidity."

Dr. Belcher says the lining of the nose dries out and cracks with low humidity and it makes it easier for viruses to be picked up.

The flu virus can hit at any time. The H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009 was diagnosed in April of that year.
It continued into 2010.

Doctors say getting a flu shot, washing hands often and staying away from those who are sick are the best ways to avoid the getting virus.