WASHINGTON — QUESTION: Can fluctuating temperatures put us at risk for getting sick?
ANSWER: No.
SOURCES:
Dr. Sara Uekert -Grand Rapids Allergy
Rachel Alexander -Norton Healthcare
Mayo Clinic
PROCESS:
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From big snowfall on Wednesday to warmer weather in 24 hours in the D.C. metro area, can all these fluctuating temperatures put us at risk for getting sick?
Rachel Alexander, a nurse practitioner with Norton Healthcare, said in winter months we do see more sickness and infections but it's not because of the weather.
"Really you get sick from bacteria viruses so changes in weather really shouldn't cause an illness," Alexander explained.
However, allergist and immunologist, Dr. Sara Uekert at Grand Rapids Allergy said those who can be susceptible to big changes in weather are asthma sufferers. "Patients will definitely see changes in weather as a major trigger and that can be either things like humidity, extreme cold air, dry air or barometric pressure shifts and for a lot of asthmatics that big change from warm to cold can set off their asthma," Uekert said.
And according to the Mayo Clinic, sometimes drastic weather changes can cause imbalances in brain chemicals causing migraines for people.
So as for extreme temperature shifts actually making you sick? We can verify that's not the cause for any sniffles or sickness you may get.
Remember. it all comes down to the people you come in contact with.
