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Winter Colds Surge: Indoor Behavior, Not Causation

1/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

John Tregoning, a professor at Imperial College London, explains that colds rise in winter mainly from behavior, not direct causation.
He notes people spend more time indoors with poor ventilation, increasing virus transmission.
Data from the Covid-19 era show that reduced interaction lowered various respiratory viruses.
He notes some winter viruses peak at different times, and vaccination against flu and RSV remains the best protection.

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Story summary

John Tregoning, a professor at Imperial College London, explains that colds rise in winter mainly from behavior, not direct causation.
He notes people spend more time indoors with poor ventilation, increasing virus transmission.
Data from the Covid-19 era show that reduced interaction lowered various respiratory viruses.
He notes some winter viruses peak at different times, and vaccination against flu and RSV remains the best protection.