As much as I love Darren, I have to agree with you Matt.

It's germs not the temperature. I agree with Darren

Sorry Matt, I'm with Darren on this one. :) It's an ongoing debate in our house too so I guess you can count my husband in on your side. It's not temperature, it's the virus that gets you.

hmmmmm, I think people are misunderstanding Matt's point. Of course it's the germs that make you sick but the question is- do you feel the temperature fluctuation weakens your body's defenses against the germs?
I still love Darren but agree with Matt.

I agree with Matt.

I agree with Matt, when there is a fast change in the weather it seems everyone complains that they are not feeling well. Sorry,Darren

I agree with Darren.

If temperature changes made you sick people whose jobs expose them to temperature changes would be more sick than others. I worked in a meat market for several years, coming and going from a meat freezer daily and I had the same cycle of colds as everyone else (more common in winter than summer).

It's the germs not the temp change.

I have to agree with Darren, that it is germs not weather that makes you sick,but there is also a weather conection. The temperature needs to remain cold for a more lengthy time to kill the organisms that case many diseases.

I agree with Matt. The flucuation in the weather doesn't give the body time to acclimate to the changes and wears down the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight off illness.

I walk every single day in the morning around 5:30 am regardless of the temperature. I have never been sick from that! Darren says it like it is, "Phooey!"

I say it's the germs that make you sick; but, the weather MAY make you feel sicker quicker.

Sorry Matt - Darren's got this one. The body burns energy (calories)to adjust to cold temperature - that's a good thing! I don't believe this weakens the immune system. Bring on the cold weather - the slopes are calling!

Temperatures rising give people a false sense of security. They shed those warmer jackets, and expose themselves to rapidly changing temperatures causing their bodies to work OT to keep them warm and toasty which they had become accustomed to. I'm surprised at you Kramer! Way to go Matt!

Its Both, The warmer tempertures awaking the germs and open our pores and if you already have a low resists to viruses they will be able to invade your system and cause you to become ill, thats also why people who go from warm homes to outdoor cold weather then back indoors again are more likely to get ill My Opinion YOU ARE BOTH CORRECT one part feeds the other part

Darren's right on this one. There have been several studies that show that the only impact weather has on the rate of colds, etc, is that colder weather forces more people to stay in doors longer. When people are in close contact bacteria and viruses have more opportunity to spread from one individual to another.

You are right Darren! It's the germs, not the temperature! It's an old wifes tale. They started using it to get the kids to wear their coats and hats! And it stuck!

Darren is right. It is germs that make you sick not temperatures. The only reason people get sicker in the cooler months is that the windows and doors are closed and there is no ventilation and the stale air sticks around longer. Matt is always right when it comes to the weather. But it is Darren who got it right today!! :)

I am the barometer for weather. When the air pressure is a changing I can often feel this as a 'headache.' The greater or more rapid the change, the worse my headache.
My family trusts my 'feelings' (they have always been correct), especially when we lived in tornado/huricane prone areas.

PS: Though our temps are warmer, those of us that are from the southern US can vouch that we too get 'sick' at this time of year.
Why? We are indoors more and in contact with contagious people who don't stay home when they are sick.

Just a few weeks ago I was outside and I was covered but not wearing much, just to allow my body to adjust to the coming winter,I don`t bother with flu shots.And an officer pulled in my driveway and came up to me and told me someone called the police and told them I was outside uncovered,the men can go without a top and nobody says anything but thats another story.And He could plainly see that I wasn`t exposing myself and I explained what I was doing and It made scence to Him.When You bundle all up and then start sweating by the time You get where your going you are putting your body through the change yourself,You and the climate coexsist,and if you THINK you are going to get an illness from the season changes you will.Just like if You think You will get yourself somthing at a shop on the way home You do.If someone else has let their guard down and allowed illness that is contagious inside themselfs,they need to quarintine themselfs until they get a grip,as everything they touch is spreading what they aquired.Washing your hands often stops the spread of illness too,I wouldn`t get to crazy about preventing my hands from good old fasion dirt,when your body takes in dirt from your hands and bare feet slowly it allows things in the inviornment to enter through the skin too and your body becomes immuned to so many things that are out there.Did you ever notice the child with the Mother that was always saying put your shoes on put a coat on your going to catch a cold,these children are always sick,asthmatic psycocematic.Your attitude has more power over you than the natural climate changes.Mothers be careful what you tell these innocents they trust You,and If You keep telling them they will be fine and treating them that way thats the way they will be.~Peace Glenna~

I love you both...and I have to agree with you both. It's not the actual CHANGE of temps that makes you sick but the fact that when it gets cold, your defenses go down because your body is busy working to keep you warm, making you more prone to these germs, allowing you to THINK it was the change in temps. If your defenses are down and you're closed in with others and all their germs in a warm, sfuffy room, those germs are gonna get you. Friends of mine, in the medical profession, laugh when they hear you ‘caught a "draft" from an open window’ - not true. It's the germs.

Darren is correct that germs are primary the cause of illness... although... there are certain respiratory ailments that stem from extended exposure to cold and humid air.

Too be honest... I dread rapid changes because my knees ache like a son of a gun when they occur.

Matt! You are RIGHT in my case. I have low immune system problems and whenever the weather is extreme I suffer joint and disk problems. Besides that, I always get a sinus infection. I read that feeling cold can lower the immune system. What do you think?

I came on the blog ready to side with Matt, but after all of the other bloggers opinions, I would have to agree with Darren. How about a Doctor's opinion on this one? Have a great and healthy day. And keep taking Airborne. It is the greatest stuff out there.

You cannot catch a cold from the cold (or warmth for that matter). You can only catch one from a germ. You can however catch pneumonia from the cold. So, I agree with Darren.

I agree with Matt. I got really sick when I came back from Jamaica last year in the middle of January.

I think its a bad thing for the weather to be so warm. I haven't been able to breathe without congestion for years. I believe its from not having a long cold spell like in the old days of the early to mid-90's.

So, I think that yes, the weather changes do affect us. Some of the issues are allergy driven, some virus/bacteria driven, but either way, the changes in temperature do indeed affect us.

I agree with Matt.

I AGREE WITH MATT. BECAUSE OF THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES I WASN'T ABLE TO BUILT UP MY IMUNE SYSTEM THIS YEAR , AND WAS SICK FOR ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS SO FAR THIS FALL. NORMALLY I DONT GET SICK.

Darren is right...people are more likely to get sick in the colder weather because we tend to stay inside and close to germs. No fresh air...yuk!

OK -- it's both. The cold sends all of us inside where we have battened down the hatches with tightly sealed insulated windows and doors thus trapping all of the germs inside with us and then we end up getting sicker!

Tracy is right, it is both,

this fall the leaves fell and we never got a real frost.

They breed mold, and evertime it warms up, like this weekend, it will re spurt.

Most people call what they have a cold and never realize they have allergies.

Matt
I have to agree with you when the temperature gos up and down I feel bad and sometimes get sick.

what makes it worst in both summer & winter is the humiddy. especially when it is high.

When the weather starts to change to cold, / damp, ALL MY OLD INJURIES { Disc , Joint, & Mussel spasums } PAIN LEAVEL INCRESSES, and I feel flue like symtems comming on

thanks Jim, I thought I was the only one

I found the cure

2 aspirin

bottle of home made Valpocello

fire in the woodstove

soak in the hot tub

not necessarily in that order

I agree with Darren that temp changes don't make you sick. But I will say that changes in the weather (not just temp) will effect the way you feel. Oh and sorry guys, it's Marcie whom I love!

The idea is true, not only does it cause exacerbation of bone and joint pain. but it opens us up to an unusual amount of infections. We try to avoid crowds(church,shopping,large venues) because we WILL catch it. For me personally? I have titanium bolts and spacers holding my whole skull together (long story, but it was either that,or I die), and WOW can I tell a pressure change! Usually BEFORE the weather people.

A recent study has shown that low temperatures do predispose people to infection by constricting blood vessels lining the respiratory tract-this reduces the amount of antibodies that reach the mucous membranes & makes it more likely that one will get sick.

Are you sure there isn't going to be any snow? because I need a snow day to get me into the christmas spirit. Also, i think theres no snow because of that globalwarming thing.

I agree with Matt - I tend to get Migrains with large changes in the barometric pressure.

I have to agree with Matt I have a son with asthma and when the weather can't decide where it wants to be he gets sick.His name is Darren so its not personal Darren.

If you throw your head back like a pez candy dispenser,and look at Orions belt you will find 3 stars,in Heaven those are the 3 wisemen in Heaven as was on Earth,still proceding,westward leading still proceding guide us to thy perfect light.i say on Earth as it is in Heaven because that is what Jesus said to the Disiples when they asked how should we pray and He said pray,"Our Father who art in Heaven Hallowed be thy name,Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done (On Earth as it is In Heaven.)What is going on in the Heavens is going on on Earth,in the first chapter,it tells about how the stars the Moon and the sun are sins to go by,just in case you don`t have a calender on the wall,during an Equinox a shadow stands still so time cannot be Biblically measured,time stands still,the sun refuses to shine,the sun would not give its light,so they had to wait,it`s no mystery until you try to find a mystery,the Bible is to clear things up with its historical records.Anilyzing a fact is like saying "Is that pancake really a Pancake"?that`s what happened in the garden,curiosity and the big question"Did God Really say (You must not) eat from any tree in the garden".Then She has to do a memory check because a question was thrown at He when her guard was down,wondering in couriosity.Anylizing.You know you are leading yourself into temptation,soon you justify your actions,no matter who gets walked on in your persute of happiness.Then you pay with guilt or get diagnosed as a psycopath.~Peace Glenna~

well, the temp just dropped about 20 degrees overnight and here i am with a scratchy throat trying not to get super sick.... if it's not the weather, it HAS to be either the immune system reaction or maybe allergy agrivators on the heat coils. i think the cold weather also dries things out substantially....

It might not be as simple as changing weather causes you to be sick, but there might be something caused by the changing weather that really does affect your health.

I think heating systems might make people sick. You are breathing really dry air on cold nights because high pressure air is dry, and your heater dries it out even more. That can cause your immune system to focus on hydrating you, then, when it's nice out you go out and get in contact with dozens or hundreds more people than you normally would (i.e. it's finally nice, let's all go to the mall or the movies), and your weakened immune system fails to protect you, especially if it gets cold again, and now you've got the virus or bacteria AND super-dry air to contend with.

If not correct, I think it's a lot of great BS, you've got to work with there.

I too get ill if the temperature goes from hot to cold and vice verser in a a few days...I have always wondered if it's because your blood thickens in colder weather and thins in warmer weather leaving you feeling confused and ill... Or is this nonsense.?
Also as a side thing I smoked weed for 5 years and one day realized I hadn't got ill in all that time??? Could it be that I had but as cannabis acts as a painkiller I just didn't feel it? And as a smoker you have a constant cold anyhow? I don't know, I don't smoke now.. last week here in the UK was warm this week it's freezing and yes I'm in bed ill. X

i get sick with colds and asthma like symptoms when the weather and temp changes suddenly- from really sunny to really rainy. I don't really think one can really be allergic to weather itself but my doctor said that i am sensitive to sudden changes in temp exceeding 2 degrees C. go figure.

I was taking anti-biotics at first but they didn't help so i was put on allergy meds which helped me get healthy but it took a week or two.

Since I have come to china I know that big differences in temperature makes me sick. We go from sweltering in front of fans to shivering in front of heaters within days. The only time I get sick with a cold is during this change over from stinking hot to freezing cold within days.

Well, as of now, I am suffering from this thing.
I'm a good example, seeing as I actually endure this every season. I don't have asthma, I'm 14, my immune system is completely functunal.
Every change from season to season, I get so sick that I have to take a week off from school/misc. and lye on the couch.
Sometimes I throw up, I have sniffles, loss of appetite, cough, sneezing, drowsyness.
Those are generally season oriented. Like when it suddenly gets colder, I don't vomit but I'm not able to breathe through my stuffy nose.
Just recently a new symptom appeared, muscle weakness.
It's hard to stand up and bite down on things.

Only happens with rapid season changes.
Coinsidence? I think not.