Cold & Flu Season

This time of year is called the cold and flu season because most viruses occur more frequently during the fall and winter. Our immunity can be weakened and taxed by colder weather and by social factors, such as spending more time indoors near infected people. All of these illnesses are caused by infectious agents that replicate within the cells of organisms. But as we have all seen with COVID-19, they can become a pandemic (widespread occurrences of a communicable disease) without boundaries.

Cold symptoms can be a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and possible fever. Traditionally, the theory is that a cold can occur from exposure to cold weather, which is how it got its name. Although there is no cure for the common cold, preventive measures such as handwashing, avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth, and staying away from other sick people are recommended. Additionally, symptoms can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and cough medicines.

Influenza (flu) is categorized into three types: "A" is called bird flu because it is the natural host and can also infect humans. "B" exclusively infects humans and is less common than A, and "C" infects humans, dogs, and pigs, but is the least common. Symptoms of the flu include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, and tiredness. Nausea and vomiting are more common with unrelated infections, such as gastroenteritis, sometimes called "stomach flu," which may have other complications, such as viral or bacterial pneumonia and sinus infections. We are familiar with the yearly flu shot, which is considered the best defense against this virus.

COVID-19 is caused by various viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). In 2019, a new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak originating in China. The disease it causes is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to flu symptoms, but move quickly to the respiratory system and are more deadly.

Ayurvedically, the cold and flu season begins as we transition from the hot, bright, and intense summer (Pitta) months into the fall (Vata) season, when the qualities become cooler, drier, lighter, and windier. This transition can weaken our immunity and make us more susceptible to illness. Then, when the winter (Kapha) season arrives with its cold, wet, heavy, and stagnant qualities, infection is more prevalent.

Staying healthy is about building and protecting immunity. Ayurveda strengthens the Vata dosha during the fall season by using warmth, wetness, heaviness, and stability, which ground the body, mind, and spirit and support the immune system for winter. As the heavier, more stagnant winter arrives, you could introduce the actions (warmth, dryness, lightness, and mobility) to remove heaviness, dampness, and possible congestion and stagnation.