Health and Climate: Aches and Pains - Temperature and Humidity

[gfmucci]

Many of us have read or heard about the recent study that indicates that the flu virus cannot survive or spread in temperatures above the mid 80's or in high humidity. The bug spreads and thrives best in low humidity and low temperatures. That was counterintuitive for me, but explains why we have a "flu season."

What about aches and pains...arthritis. I hear all sorts of different temperature and humidity claims about this. What are your experiences with these kinds of problems related to cold and humid, warm and humid, cold and dry, hot and dry? And then there are different symptoms brought on by rapid changes in barometric pressure, like giving birth prematurely during rapidly falling pressures - which not too many of us have to worry about here ;D

[redwitch]

Well, not sure this area has enough humidity or heat to prevent the flu. You may have to be in a rain forest to get enough humidity. I've certainly seen a few colds and a couple of really miserable people with the flu.

As to athritis, I have it in my shoulder and spine. It is better when it is drier. If I were in California right now, I would be in major pain because it is cold and foggy there now. Here, it is warm and foggy, so the pain is a lot less.

[gfmucci]

Ok, then what is worse for aches and pains:* Warm and humid or cold and* humid?

And is it true that folks, as they age, require more warmth to feel comfortable?* For example, when we were younger, were 40 and 50 degree temps more tolerable than they are when we're in our 60's?* Are 80 and 90 degree temps now preferable to 40 and 50 degree temps?* Is 70 degrees still the "ideal" or does the "ideal" creep up to closer to 80 degrees?

[Donna]

I have to find some more answers on this topic..I am very interested to see what is fact..

[gfmucci]

Here is a web site that explains the conditions under which the flu virus is spread most quickly:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/When-Does-Flu-Hit-Harder-69230.shtml

The flu virus is not transmitted at all above 86 degrees f.

Note:* 5 degrees celsius is 41 degrees fahrenheit.
30 degrees celsius is 86 degrees fahrenheit. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001731.html

[Donna]

gfmucci ...Great..Thanks so much for the info..http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/blissysmile.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[mzmom3]

Gosh. What a great topic. I never really thought about this. Interesting. Thank you.

[Barefoot]

JohnZ would know all the answers on this one.

[gfmucci]

Here are several articles on this topic.* The bottom line is that there appear to be two accepted weather-related causes of increased arthritis pain:

* Rapidly falling barometric pressure, such as during the onset of stormy weather, especially with high humidity, and
* To a lesser extent, colder temps.

High humidity by itself does not seem to have a recognized influence on joint pain.

But different people react to various weather and climate changes differently.

http://www.allaboutarthritis.com/AllAboutArthritis/layoutTemplates/html/en/contentdisplay/document/condition/arthritis/generalArticle/Cold_Weather_Causes_Aches_and_Pains.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=14686

http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Weather-Really-Affect-Arthritis?&id=756055