Winter is often referred to as the season of colds and flues. The constant dropping temperature during the last months of the year may trigger various types of illnesses and health problems, often causing serious trouble for the people.

According to medical experts, sundry bacteria remain active in winters and may take a toll on the human immune system. Thus, they suggest people to undergo a full body health checkup at this time of the year.

Some common winter illnesses include:

• Common Cold

Runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, and headaches are some of the most common symptoms associated with cold. The condition is caused by various types of viruses including rhinovirus, which is held responsible in almost 50% of the cases. According to medical researches, proximity of people catching cold is higher in winter months as compared to other months of the year.

• Sore Throat

Bacterial and viral infections during winters can lead to the condition of sore throat. It is known to cause pain and irritation with scratchiness in the throat, and can also lead to other complications like headaches and stomach pain. Some experts believe that frequent changes in temperature can also affect the throat.

• Influenza

Influenza, or commonly known as flu, is an infectious disease primarily caused by the influenza virus. It is a contagious respiratory illness that infects the nose, throat, and in worst cases, the lungs. High fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and pain are some related problems.

• Pneumococcal Disease

Pneumococcal disease is caused by streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that remain proactive during the winter and early spring season. Pneumonia (lung infection), meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), bacteremia (infection of blood streams), as well as sinus and ear infections are some associated complications.

Asthma, Norovirus, joint pain, dry skin, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are some other winter flourishing complications that can hamper the day-to-day physical as well as social life of the people. Thus, it is important to take necessary precautions in the flu season and undergo a full body checkup for evaluating the gravity of the problem.

Some benefits of a full body checkup include:

• Provides insights of actual fitness levels of the body
• Diagnosing symptoms for serious complications
• Detects complications in early stages to prevent serious damage
• Identification of actual problem and ensuring correct treatment
• Provides timely control over the complications

Undergoing a full body checkup goes in sync with the idea of prevention is better than cure. With the human immune system sharing a greater risk in the winter season, regular body checkups become all the more essential. It makes people aware of the overall medical condition of their bodies and encourages them to live a healthy life.