Drafts leading to illness

[EWright]

Why do drafts (as in gentle breezes) sometimes lead to illness, as in a soar throat, cold, chest cold, pneomonia, etc? Elderly people seem very prone to this, and I've heard one should keep birds and small pets away from drafts. And for some reason a simple draft seems more likely to cause such illness than a strong breeze would. Does anyone have any insight on this?

[DarkColoredLight]

Humans are sick. Then, they taint the draft that you breath. That you breath into your lungs. That you breath into you body. You are sick.

Unless I'm mistaken.

[EWright]

Originally Posted by DarkColoredLight

Humans are sick. Then, they taint the draft that you breath. That you breath into your lungs. That you breath into you body. You are sick.

Unless I'm mistaken.

Dude, is your keyboard broke? Because your posts make little to no sense.

[Nootropic]

Pathogens are present in every area of this Earth. Be it a strong breeze or a soft breeze, they will carry it. Elderly people are obviously more prone to illness due to a weakened immune system as a natural part of aging. We breathe in up to a 1000 pathogens every breath and can be come infected anytime, a simple breeze or an enormous gust may be the vessel that carrie the pathogen that causes a few days of distress or worse.

[EWright]

Originally Posted by Nootropic

Pathogens are present in every area of this Earth. Be it a strong breeze or a soft breeze, they will carry it. Elderly people are obviously more prone to illness due to a weakened immune system as a natural part of aging. We breathe in up to a 1000 pathogens every breath and can be come infected anytime, a simple breeze or an enormous gust may be the vessel that carrie the pathogen that causes a few days of distress or worse.

I understand what you're are saying and appreciate your input. However, we breathe aproximately the same volume of air per day while we are out and about, whether there is a draft or not (aside from strenuous activity which causes us to breathe more). I also ask because when I've had chest colds I've noticed there seems to be a sort of 'penetrating' feeling from even slight drafts. Perhaps I'm just overly sensitive to them at these times. However, it seems as though I can relate to an elderly persons request (for example) not to be seated under a ceiling fan because they don't want to "catch a chill" (even on a warm day) but I don't understand how drafty conditions can physically cause one to become sick. Any other thoughts?

[ughaibu]

I think you're talking about hypothermia.

[EWright]

Originally Posted by ughaibu

I think you're talking about hypothermia.

I think not.

[Celeste]

I understand where your coming from. I have a hard time sitting near fans, etc., especially when I'm sick.

From what I understand, it's abit like "reactive airway disease". Which includes our ears, nose, throat, and lungs.
For some, breezes might also cause problems because they chill or overheat easily and their bodies have to work harder to keep their body temperture up or down, which further weakens their immune system.

Wind gives me horrible earaches and headaches. Breezes that are cold or too warm seem to give me tightness in my chest and even wheezing at times.

[EWright]

Originally Posted by Celeste

I understand where your coming from. I have a hard time sitting near fans, etc., especially when I'm sick.

From what I understand, it's abit like "reactive airway disease". Which includes our ears, nose, throat, and lungs.
For some, breezes might also cause problems because they chill or overheat easily and their bodies have to work harder to keep their body temperture up or down, which further weakens their immune system.

Wind gives me horrible earaches and headaches. Breezes that are cold or too warm seem to give me tightness in my chest and even wheezing at times.

Very helpful insight, thank you.

[ronthepon]

Well, if it's cold you are also asking about, then here is what I know.

Most of the cold viruses have a better chance of surviving in colder environments. I'm not sure why, it could be reduced immune system strength or maybe the viruses are so.

Anyway, in cold conditions our nose starts to run because the little cilia(hair) in our nose are unable to move mucous properly hence it begins to run. I suppose it may give them viruses a chance to enter our bodies.

I have also heard of some 'germ carrying winds' and there was one which had caused a wave of conjuctivitis cases here.

Now about that 'penetrating feeling', its good to remember that our bodies are trying to keep warmer than usual when we are sick (this makes the viruses less effective). So any coldness is very unwelcome, be it through wind.
Pulmonary odema(fluids in lungs) could be connected, I'm not sure.