Due to the Russians and their shelling, Kyiv residents are living in very difficult conditions. As of January 12, 800 buildings in the capital were still without heating. And in general, a drop in air temperature is traditionally accompanied by an increase in the number of seasonal illnesses. However, we asked Nadiya Zharikova, a physician and author of the Mamskye project, whether cold weather is really the main cause of colds, whether vitamins help “prevent” them, and how to keep warm properly.
Cold or viruses: why we actually get sick
It is widely believed that low temperatures are the cause of illness, but doctors emphasize the need to distinguish between the cause and the contributing factors. Nadiya Zharikova explains the mechanism of infection quite categorically.
“Hypothetically, a person can only get sick because they have bacteria or a virus in their body. That is, when a person is standing outside in the cold, their body’s resistance simply decreases,” the doctor notes.
According to her, at this moment, the body is under stress, trying to maintain internal heat. If contact with an infected person occurs at this time, the immune system may not be able to cope.
“You’re standing on the street, someone is coughing nearby, you get on the bus together. Your body is hypothermic, the virus enters your respiratory tract, and your body says, ‘I tried to warm you up on the street, I’m so tired, I can’t cope. I’m going to get sick!'” explains the therapist, describing the infection process.
At the same time, she adds an interesting fact: severe frosts are harmful to viruses. They do not survive well on surfaces at low temperatures, so infection most often occurs in warm rooms or on public transport.
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How to dress and what to eat before going outside
When asked about preventing hypothermia, the doctor advises taking a practical approach, emphasizing the principle of layering clothing. Thermal underwear should form the basis of your wardrobe, and should be chosen depending on the activities you will be doing.
“It is important to distinguish between thermal underwear designed for movement, which is comfortable to move in and keeps you warm. It is usually thin. But if you stand in it for a long time, it does not keep you warm. Therefore, for static positions, it is better to choose thermal underwear made of fleece,” advises Nadiya Zharikova.
Footwear is equally important and should not constrict the foot. The doctor warns against trying to wear “25 socks” because this impairs blood circulation and blocks the layer of warm air.
When it comes to nutrition, the expert emphasizes the importance of eating high-calorie foods before going out into the cold.
“This is also a preventive measure — don’t go outside hungry. You should eat at least a candy bar so that the calories are broken down. Then the body will release its internal heat as fuel,” explains the therapist.
The myth about vitamins and “repairing” the immune system
People often ask doctors what medications they should take to strengthen their immune system in winter. The doctor’s answer will disappoint those looking for a “magic pill.”
“It’s not like you can just pop some vitamin C and think that’s it, now you’re glowing and protected from infection. It doesn’t work that way,” says Nadiya.
She compares the human body to a car that needs constant care, not occasional repairs.
“At times like this, I remember how a car works. If you take care of it, it will run well and last a long time. It’s the same with the body. Our job is to take care of it every day. That’s the basic method of support,” says the doctor, emphasizing the importance of sleep and a balanced diet instead of pharmacy supplements.
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What to do when you get sick
If you couldn’t avoid getting sick, Nadiya Zharikova says don’t try to be a hero, but give your body time to recover. The main remedies are rest, isolation, and water or tea.
“Your body is telling you: please lie down and you will recover. If you allow it to rest, don’t run around outside, but drink water and sleep, your body will cope on its own,” she assures us.
As for medication, the doctor advises limiting yourself to symptomatic treatment for high temperature or poor health, using paracetamol (1000 mg dosage for adults) or ibuprofen (400 mg).
“Antiviral drugs do not work at all. The only thing such drugs work for is the flu, but a test must be confirmed to diagnose it,” adds the therapist.
Hypothermia and safe warming: why alcohol is a bad idea
If a person stays in the cold for a long time, they can get hypothermia. It is important to note that it is not always accompanied by low temperatures. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 36°C because the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. The process develops gradually. First, you start shivering from the cold. Your skin loses its natural color. It gets worse when the shivering stops. Apathy and drowsiness set in, and the pulse slows down. These are symptoms that indicate critical exhaustion of the body. The doctor debunks the popular myth about warming up with alcohol. According to her, this is a dangerous practice.
“Alcohol dilates the blood vessels, and when this happens, a person loses heat even faster. This is because the blood vessels dilate and the body goes into a state of ‘giving off heat to the outside’ rather than ‘keeping it inside’,” warns Nadiya Zharikova.
Instead, she advises drinking warm, not hot, beverages and gradually warming up under a blanket.
“It’s a joke to put your hands under hot water, because the temperature change is too sudden. This has a negative effect on the nervous system. If you already have frostbite, you need to warm up gradually, in warm water at around 36-40 degrees or simply with dry heat,” the doctor concludes.
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