We have been sniffing for weeks for weeks: « People think that colds do not exist in this season »

Viruses spread in cold, non -ventilated environments. It is a coronalesje that we will never forget. Then why does it seem like the nice weather, and therefore the many hours in the open air, do not protect us from an annoying cold? At the editors there is plenty of genus, sniffing and sniffing.

According to Maaike van Overloop, chairman of Domus Medica, it is mainly perception. « I don’t have the impression that there is a big increase compared to other years. People have the wrong perception that colds do not exist in the summer season. But it is indeed possible. There are several viruses that cause colds and not only come up in the cold. Moreover, let us not forget that Covid is not disappeared. It is still minim. » The figures from Sciensano about respiratory infections do not show great peculiarities compared to other years.

Cold or allergy?

« Apart from that, there are the pollen and other allergies that give a similar picture of a cold, » Van Overloop adds. Professor General Practitioner Dirk Devroey (VUB) cites the same point. « I think the most important explanation lies with the confusion with allergies. People do not recognize that they are allergic and do not have a cold because it is the same way. » Hay fever, house dust mite and animal allergies have the same symptoms as a fall. The statistics of Sciensano about the pollen level are exceptionally high this year.

An allergic person is also an easier victim for a virus. An allergic reaction in combination with a cold then becomes a solid fall. « People who have stimulated airways through a pollen allergy become more susceptible to viruses on the airways, » Van Overloop explains. « That is only the case if you experience symptoms of the allergy. If you have them under control through medication, this is not the case. »

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Devroey believes that we expect too much from the weather. « It has been very dry, but not necessarily warm enough to make viruses disappear. In addition, there are many temperature fluctuations. They weaken our immune system. At times when it quickly gets hot and suddenly again colder, or vice versa, we are more susceptible to viruses and we have an increased vulnerability for infections. » The drought is also not necessarily good news. « Some viruses, such as flu viruses and coronaviruses, remain stable in dry air for longer. Dry conditions help the virus particles to continue to float in the air for longer as aerosols, » explains Devroey.

And the air conditioning that already got up here and there? « If air conditioning is poorly arranged, it can cause colds. The blown air is then too dry, so that the airways dry out. That also ensures greater susceptibility to colds. »

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