Brazil health experts warn of winter respiratory risks and give prevention tips

With colder temperatures, indoor heating and reduced ventilation, Brazil experiences a rise in respiratory infections each winter. Otolaryngologists Dr. Cristiane Passos Dias Levy and Dr. Bruno Borges de Carvalho Barros explain that the cold itself does not cause flu or colds; rather, people spend more time in closed, poorly ventilated spaces, which facilitates virus transmission. They note that dry air dries nasal mucosa, lowering its ability to filter pathogens.

The doctors advise several preventive measures: keep homes ventilated, avoid keeping doors and windows closed all day, maintain indoor humidity between 40% and 60%, stay hydrated, use heating and humidifiers in moderation, and refrain from self‑medicating. They stress the importance of updating vaccinations, especially against circulating influenza strains, and seeking medical attention for persistent symptoms such as fever lasting more than ten days, worsening cough, or shortness of breath.