A British general practitioner, Claire Agatho, warns about the impact of falling temperatures and cold weather during winter on the human body. In an interview with The Guardian, she stated that cold, dry air helps viruses spread easily as it weakens the body's first line of defense in the nose by slowing down the movement of mucus and cilia. At the same time, a sudden drop in temperature increases stress hormones, which temporarily weakens the immune system and raises the rates of flu and cough in winter. She added that cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure and strains the heart, especially in people at risk of heart attacks, smokers, and those with high blood pressure and diabetes. Agatho confirmed that cold, dry air irritates the respiratory tract and causes sudden muscle spasms, leading to shortness of breath or coughing fits, especially when moving quickly between warm and cold places, particularly for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She pointed out that winter cold weakens the skin's protective barrier, causing dryness, inflammation, and irritation. Agatho also noted that lower temperatures narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the muscles, causing stiffness and pain in the joints.
