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
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...