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A cool morning, an afternoon at 28°C, offices frozen by the air conditioningthen a stifling heat when leaving… In spring and early summerour body sometimes has to adapt very quickly to temperature changes. Result: fatigue, headaches, scratchy throat or feeling of » cold snap « . Many have the feeling of getting sick because of the weather. But are temperature differences really to blame? Response from Dr Fabien Besançon, general practitioner and secretary general of the College of General Medicine.
Do temperature changes really make you sick?
Non. « Neither heat nor cold can directly cause common cold », recalls Dr Fabien Besançon.
Illnesses such as colds, flu or certain gastroenteritis are caused by viruses. To get sick, you must therefore be exposed to these microbesfor example upon contact with an infected person or surface.
On the other hand, sudden changes in temperature can temporarily weaken the body and accentuate certain discomforts. The problem is therefore not the temperature itself, but the repeated efforts that the body must make to adapt quickly.
Why do we have the impression that alternating hot/cold makes us sick?
Our body works a bit like a thermostat. He constantly seeks to maintain a stable temperature around 37°C.
When we suddenly go from hot to cold (or vice versa) the body must react immediately to maintain this balance. Blood vessels constrict or dilate, sweating increases, heart rate may increase slightly, and chills may appear.
All these mechanisms are normal, but they require energy. In some people it can cause:
THE mucous membranes of the nose and throat may also become more sensitiveespecially in very air-conditioned or very dry environments. Result: you can feel tingling, sneeze more or have the sensation of “covering something”, without actually being sick…
Can temperature differences still promote infections?
Yes, indirectly. Sudden temperature variations do not create viruses. On the other hand, they can temporarily weaken natural defensesespecially if you are already tired, stressed or exposed to germs.
- Very dry air, often linked to heating or air conditioning, can irritate the respiratory tract.
- A sudden cooling after sweating a lot can increase the feeling of discomfort.
- Repeatedly switching from hot to cold can promote fatigue and discomfort.
- The mucous membranes of the nose and throat may become more sensitive and less effective at filtering certain microbes.
In other words, drafts or temperature differences alone do not make you sick. But sometimes they can give a “boost” to viruses already present in the environment or in the body.
This is also why we get sick more often in certain contexts: crowded public transport, closed and air-conditioned offices, schools or busy places. The risk comes mainly of the circulation of viruses between people !
Are some people more sensitive to temperature variations?
Yes. Some people are less tolerant of sudden changes in temperature because their body has more difficulty adapting. This is particularly the case:
- Of the infants,
- Of the elderly people,
- Of the people with asthma,
- People with respiratory diseases,
- People tired, stressed or weakened.
In people with asthma, for example, dry air can irritate the bronchi and trigger breathing difficulties or even an asthma attack. In others, temperature fluctuations can cause headaches, dizziness or a feeling of significant fatigue.
When should you consult?
Symptoms related to temperature variations are generally benign and passengers. But certain signs should prompt you to consult a doctor, especially if they suggest a real infection.
It is better to seek medical advice if the symptoms:
- last several days,
- get worse quickly,
- cause a shortness of breath,
- are accompanied by a high fever,
- lead to a great fatigue,
- or occur in a fragile person.
Clearly, sudden changes in temperature do not transmit viruses. But they can tire the body and make certain symptoms more bothersomeespecially in sensitive people!
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