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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Can the alternation of very cool and mild temperatures experienced during this season encourage people to fall ill, as we often think? The response from Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo.
“With these changing temperatures, we are all going to get sick!” The little phrase thrown around if we have a cold when the temperatures are getting warmer is rather classic in our conversations. But is it real? Is the body weakened by temperature variations? We asked the question to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo.
Redoubt does not promote viruses
And for him the answer is clear: no, temperature variations do not encourage diseases, and it is neither the cold nor the warm weather that is really to blame:
“Overall the cold can irritate the mucous membranes which are a route of penetration for viruses. But the warm weather tends to provide a different humidity and give us a less irritated mucous membrane, therefore an additional barrier against less resistant viruses. There is therefore a more or less favorable terrain, but it is not the variation that makes us sick, but rather the presence of viruses and a immune system weakened” he specifies.
Barrier gestures at all times
Whatever the temperature announced by the weather forecast in your region, our doctor reminds us: the best way to avoid viruses is to still practice barrier gestures and not abandon them as the degrees rise on the thermometer: you wash your hands regularly, use single-use tissues, wear a mask if you are sick, and maintain an appropriate lifestyle (varied diet and good sleep) to stay in shape.