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Q: Are a lot people sick where you are right now?
I'm in Beijing, and though I'm sure it's not an unidentified epidemic of H7N9 (despite the virus hitting the capital) it seems that almost everyone's sick right now. Is the temperature change? Is it the same where you are? I got on the subway to work and found that almost everyone was coughing and sneezing, more so than usual. After getting to my office I find that the half the staff are absent. Normal for this time of year?
11 years 11 weeks ago in Health & Safety - China
There is very few things that are directly caused by a change in temperature. There are some things with the weather than can be a contributing factor. For example the relative air humidity will impact how well virus "hangs" in the air, dry air will transmit viruses easier.
As temperatures increase the fauna will start producing more pollen which will cause allergic reactions to some.
I have not noticed an extra amount of sick people here in Zhuhai.
Remember, being cold does not give you a cold.
Hugh.G.Rection:
"Remember, being cold does not give you a cold."
THANKYOU! Oh how I wish more people would realise that fact!!!
Scandinavian:
When I was in elementary school, the guy who was always sick was the guy whose mother always forced him to wear a lot during winter.
darkstar1:
Totally agree there Scandinavian. When I used to teach I always found it funny all the kids who wore countless layers of jumpers even through the spring. The sickness must be my hayfever playing up!
Scandinavian:
this article is always worth a read http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/687582/Mythbusters-Does-cold-weather-make-you-sick?camp=nl_2013_02_27
I have been thinking about that as well. About 70% of the people that I work with have an illness of some sort right now. I have a monster cold at the moment, my boyfriend as well. A lot of his coworkers have something too. We called in sick so as not to spread it further because no, it is not being cold that gives you a cold, its sick people breathing in your airspace that does it. There are copious amounts of close-talkers here as well which lets bacteria spread that much easier.
I too am in Beijing and have noticed these sicknesses. It was just reported two people in Beijing have been infected with that virus so my advice to you would be to wash your hands daily, and avoid going to crowded places!
We just moved up to Northern China after securing our visa, and haven't noticed anyone getting sick. Temperature change can affect individuals with weak immune systems (correct me if I'm wrong please), and that can make it difficult to fight off infections, viral or otherwise.
My recommendation is to drink some hot water each day (if I recall correctly, it helps a lot against infections), and to take multivitamins to boost your immune system. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water, and possibly carry hand sanitizer with you.
This flu isn't nothing to mess with.
And no, I haven't noticed too many sick people here. I developed a cold 2 days ago, but it went away within 12 hours. I just hope my wife will be okay...
wildcat77:
I agree with you, Hulk. Though common cold and flu are caused by viruses, yet being cold weakens your immune system, disrupts normal blood circulation, and makes you more susceptible to infections. Also there is peak incidence of cold and flu during this time of year（late winter/early spring）.
ambivalentmace:
hulk if anywhere near chang chun , i can give you some tips on places to go, very nice town,
sickness , not to much here in shandong but people are not buying chicken, kfc less than 30 percent seating at 12 noon today, first time i got an order to dine in instead of to go.
I just looked at a couple of other threads, and there are a few sick people over there...
I have been too sick to take any notice. Been a month now with one infection or another. yep, close proximity to small children every day will do it. I try to teach them to put their hand over their nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing.
Man, I have been taking all sorts of shit and when I get rid of the nasal problem I develop a cough. Just starting to get better. A neti pot was a great investment.
It's kind of comforting (in a perverse sort of way) to know that many of you have also been sick. 
mArtiAn:
First time I came here in 2002 I was working in a kindergarten. Unfortunately after a month or so I picked up my yearly bout of bronchitis, something that I can't avoid it seems being a life-long smoker, so I was coughing like mad in all my classes. This was also the time of the first SARS epidemic. Never seen so many classes empty so quickly, I nearly put that school out of business.
Absolutely loads of people are sick and coughing where I am, but that's probably because i'm in a hospital getting an ingrowing toenail cut out. Really shouldn't be writing this now, the lady opposite has her leg up like mine and it looks like i'm taking pictures up her skirt. I guess I should have turned off the flash.
I got sick a lot in China, especially this time of year. I know it's because my immune system was out of whack. I didn't even get my normal cold this past December like I usually do. I recommend taking a good probiotic. I'm not sure if they're available in China, but you can probably order them online.
