How does winter affect our health?

Reviewed by Dr Bhavini Shah

During the winter, it’s common for many people to come down with a cold or the flu, with UK Google searches for ‘cold and flu’ peaking annually in December, with approximately 185k searches. However, sometimes symptoms can linger for longer than they should, which could be a sign that the wintery conditions have triggered something more serious.

To help us better understand how the colder months affect our health, LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor’s GP Dr Bhavini Shah, explains which conditions tend to worsen during winter, and which groups should take extra care. Dr Bhavini Shah also reveals which serious underlying conditions can flare up in winter and share symptoms with common illnesses like colds and flu, making them easy to miss.

Dr Bhavini Shah explains: 

“The change in season can affect our bodies in a number of ways. When the temperature drops, we tend to spend more time indoors, where illnesses can spread more easily, and the air is often drier due to indoor heating. This can irritate the airways, and make it easier for infections or chronic conditions like asthma to flare up. 

“The cold weather also affects the heart and lungs, and those with existing health conditions may find it harder to recover from common illnesses like colds or flu. If symptoms last longer than expected, or start to worsen, it’s important to seek medical advice.”

Reduced sun exposure

The reduced sunlight hours in the winter are responsible for a lack of vitamin D intake for many people, which can affect our health.

“Vitamin D is used within the body to help regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in our system, and therefore a deficiency can impact the health of our bones, teeth and muscles. 

“A lack of Vitamin D can trigger conditions such as osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children. This is where bones become softer, causing bone pain and an increased risk of fractures. 

“Research has suggested that low Vitamin D levels may also affect hair loss, as Vitamin D is required for hair follicle growth, so its deficiency can affect new hair growth and contribute to hair loss.”

Reduced humidity

Skin conditions like acne are prone to flaring up in the winter months due to factors such as temperature and lack of sun exposure, but also because of the reduction in humidity. 

“The drop in temperature and lack of moisture in the air both contribute to the mixture barrier on the skin being weakened, and as such our skin produces more oils in order to compensate - but this in turn leads to breakouts caused by blocked pores and irritation.”

Damp and mouldy environments

“In the winter, people should also try to make sure that their environment is kept free of damp and mould. When the temperatures drop many environments are also prone to becoming damp if not heated or insulated sufficiently. 

“This is especially problematic for people who suffer from breathing difficulties or a lung condition like asthma or COPD, as the damp conditions can cause rapid mould growth which if breathed in can cause infections and worsen your existing symptoms.”

Which parts of the body are more vulnerable in winter?

Lungs

The cold weather is especially harmful to those who suffer from a lung condition. 

“The cold dry air can make it harder for people with lung conditions to breathe, as it can cause your airways to narrow which can lead to an increase in the production of mucus in the lungs. It can also cause breathlessness if outside for long periods of time, as well as making coughing and wheezing more difficult and more painful.

“People with existing lung conditions are also likely to suffer from a weakened immune system. This can be made worse by colder temperatures that make it harder to fight off infections, mainly respiratory ones.”

Lung conditions that are likely to get worse in winter:

• Asthma
• COPD
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Pulmonary fibrosis

Heart

The cold weather can also cause issues related to your heart, especially if you are already vulnerable (those aged over 65) or have an existing heart condition. 

“With the colder temperatures, our bodies will naturally start to run cooler, and with that, the blood vessels in our extremities become narrower, making it harder to pump blood around the body, thus increasing blood pressure. 

“The British Heart Foundation has recently warned that people with existing heart conditions may find that their symptoms worsen in winter, when the temperature drops, blood can become thicker and stickier, which in rare circumstances can lead to blood clots, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.”

Bones and Joints

People with arthritis find that the condition is aggravated by the cold weather, with some reporting that they find it gets worse, especially when there is higher humidity, lower pressure, and stronger winds. 

“The lower temperatures can make joints stiffer as the reduced blood flow caused by the cold can also intensify the pain and discomfort felt by those suffering from the condition.”

Which conditions share the same symptoms as cold and flu?

Colds and flu are very common in winter, making it difficult to know if your symptoms are caused by these, or something more serious.

“People with the flu typically feel very unwell for two to three days and will continue to experience the common symptoms for around another five days. After that, you may feel tired and run down and potentially have a lingering cough for a further two or three weeks."

The most common symptoms of flu are:

• A sudden fever (above 38°C or 100.4°F)
• Headache
• Chills
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Tiredness
• Aching muscles
• Dry cough
• Sore throat

People suffering from a cold will experience symptoms for around 10 days and the most common symptoms of a cold are:

• Cough
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose

Pneumonia

One of the most serious and common conditions in winter that shares symptoms with the common cold and flu is pneumonia, and is one that often develops from an untreated cold or flu infection.

Additional symptoms of pneumonia to look out for include:

• Feeling confused
• Chest pain when you breathe deeply or cough
• Cough with bloody mucus
• Fast or shallow breathing

Strep A

Strep A is another condition that is often mistaken for a cold or flu as they all share sore throats, coughs and runny noses as symptoms.

If your sore throat comes on quickly, the additional symptoms of strep throat to look out for are:

• Hoarse voice
• Conjunctivitis
• Pus or inflammation at the back of your throat
• Scabs and sores

When should I consult a GP?

Knowing when you should seek help is crucial to ensure an illness doesn't develop into something more sinister. 

“A cold should last no longer than 10 days, so if you find that you are still suffering beyond this, make sure to contact a pharmacist or GP immediately.

“If you suspect you have the flu, you should expect symptoms to last around a week, but you may find that the cold-like symptoms last a little longer and may persist for a few weeks. Any longer than this and you should seek help.

“If you are vulnerable or have a long-term health condition, you should consult a GP or pharmacist as soon as you notice any signs that you may be coming down with an illness in winter, even if it is a cold, as these can soon take hold and turn into something worse, so it's important to act quickly.”

How can I look after myself?

Dr Bhavini Shah has shared what easy steps you can take to help ensure you stay healthy this winter.

1. Stay Warm

“One of the most important things to do during the winter to stave off any unwanted illness is try to stay warm. It is recommended that you try to keep the environment you are in to a temperature of at least 18C.”

2. Keep moving

“As well as keeping your environment warm, try to stay active as much as you can. Staying still for long periods of time, whilst it is cold, you can run the risk of your blood clotting, so it is important to ensure you move around in order to keep your blood flowing.” 

3. Get a flu vaccination

You should also make sure you are up to date with all of the relevant vaccinations. 

“The flu vaccine is important for those who have a condition that makes them more susceptible to getting ill. This includes those over the age of 65, if you are pregnant, if you have a long-term health condition, live in a care home, live with someone who has a weakened immune system or are a carer for a vulnerable person.”

4. Get a COVID-19 vaccination

“Those who are over 75, live in a care home, or those who suffer from a weakened immune system should also have a winter COVID-19 vaccine.”

5. Check if you're eligible for other vaccinations

“Other vaccinations that are available to some and will help protect those who are vulnerable from serious illnesses are the Pneumococcal vaccine and the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine.”

Winter can put extra strain on your body, especially if you are over the age of 65 or have a long-term condition. Ensuring you stay warm, active, and up to date with your vaccinations can make a big difference. But if you start feeling unwell or notice your symptoms lasting longer than what has been stated is normal, make sure to consult a pharmacist or GP or visit our health hub for expert advice and support this winter.