McMeen Elementary

Weekly Message from Nurse Miriam

12/14/22, 1:46 PM

🥶❄️BRR! It's cold outside!

As we enter our Winter season here in Colorado, it's important to remember to keep ourselves and our children warm and prepared with coats, hats and gloves when outdoors to keep warm and protect our skin. 

But the burning (pun intended! 🔥) question is... Can people really get sick from being in the cold weather? 

 

- Most illnesses that people contract during the winter are viral infections that are spread by respiratory droplets from other people's breathing/coughing/sneezing etc.

- Cold air does NOT make people sick with viral infections.

- There is some thought that because the cold can cause "stress" to bodies that are not dressed warmly, the cold may make bodies more susceptible to contract a virus. However, again, the cold air itself does not cause viral illnesses.

- For some people with asthma, cold air can be a trigger for asthma exacerbation. Wearing a mask and scarf when outside can help warm the air breathed in and help keep people from breathing in cold air. 

- Evidence-based studies have found that people are more likely to get sick in the winter months because people tend to be indoors more often, which leads to more exposure to others' germs. 

- To keep you and your families safe from illness this winter remember to stay home when sick, stay away from people that are sick if possible, wash hands regularly, get your flu and Covid shots, consider wearing masks when out in public, and get plenty of rest. And! Believe it or not, being outdoors, when tolerable, is always a more effective way to avoid catching viruses from other people. 

Please click here to read more about the myths of cold weather causing illness.

Thank you all and Have a WONDERFUL winter break and Happy New Year!

Nurse Miriam