A Virus’s FAVORITE Season?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 28, 2020
Which season is your favorite?
Some people love summer and others prefer winter.
But did you know viruses and bacteria also have their favorite season?
In fact, one of season may be better for COVID-19 — and other respiratory viruses — to thrive…
Maybe you’ve been following the news about COVID-19 and countries like Sweden.
Sweden has seen a dramatic drop in COVID-19 death rates through the month of August. In fact, at the time of this writing, the death rate in Sweden for most days in August was one or two people per day.
This suggest two things:
Either Sweden’s approach (to mostly ignore the advice to lock down the entire country) was the right thing to do, or it is summertime and the virus doesn’t care for the heat.
We’ve known for a long time that respiratory viruses, like COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold, are much less common during summer.
This is mostly due to the fact that people are spending a lot of time outside, along with changes in humidity and light exposure.
For reasons not completely understood, laboratory studies have shown that virus fall apart at higher temperature and increased humidity. Direct sunlight (UV exposure) also inactivates virus.
Summer is the perfect time to drop virus spread.
A recent study, published in the journal Jama Network Open, investigated climates in eight cities around the world and compared COVID-19 infection rates with weather.
The study team a found relationship between COVID-19 cases and temperature, humidity levels, as well as hours of daylight.
A few other studies have shown similar relationships.
But what does this mean?
There is no doubt that changes in humidity, temperature, and light exposure can have an effect on COVID-19, but probably not as much as these studies suggest.
Are the summer months better for you and worse for COVID-19? Undoubtedly, but more people are adhering to the advice of health experts: wearing their masks, staying away from others…
And doctors are learning how to treat it better (so there are fewer deaths).
Until we know more, it’s best to stay vigilant and focus on protecting your overall health as this is your best bet to avoid this (or any other) virus.
This is especially true since we’re approaching flu season, so continue to use hand sanitizers, wash your hands, and keep your immune system extra strong. Find out how to keep your immune system at top notch, here.
P.S. Our immune system weakens as we get older, which is why older folks are usually hit hardest by diseases – including COVID-19. The good news? There’s a way to make your immune system YOUNG again, go here to read all the details.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...
Gut Hack Helps You Avoid the Flu
Flu season hasn’t ramped up… yet. According to the CDC’s FluView, we’re still hovering at around one percent of the population testing positive for influenza. That’s fantastic news… but it doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. In fact, NOW is the time to prepare, because this is the calm before this season’s storm. As the...
Ditch “Calendar Age” to Live Longer and BETTER
“Age is just a number.” If we’ve heard that phrase once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. So, it’s easy to dismiss the thought. But the truth is, how old you feel is more critical than the number of candles on your birthday cake. Let me explain… Imagine the following scenario… Two 65-year-olds walk into...
5 Reasons to Eat MORE Pumpkin This Fall
When you think of fall, what comes to mind? Colorful leaves? Cozy sweaters? How about pumpkins? Sure, you probably carved one for Halloween, and you may bake a couple cans of it into a pie for Thanksgiving. But what if I told you that this humble squash could ALSO be your secret weapon for staying...
Mailbag: Break Free from Cholesterol Lowering Statins
“What’s my alternative to a statin drug for cholesterol control? I’ve been suggested to take Red Yeast Rice a natural cholesterol control. Best way to keep my arteries clear of plaque?” – Skipping Statins Hi Skipping, I don’t need to tell you how vital cardiovascular health is. However, the medical establishment insists that the only path...