You’ve probably heard someone coughing or sneezing nearby, hopefully not directly on you. As autumn settles in, coughs and colds are becoming more common.

But why does this happen at this time of year? How can you tell if it’s just a simple cold or something more serious? And what can you do to avoid the worst of it?

BBC’s Morning Live doctor and TV presenter Dr Oscar Duke explains what’s going on and how to stay well.

Does Cold Weather Really Cause Colds?

There’s no clear evidence that colder weather directly weakens our immune system. However, when the weather turns chilly and the days grow shorter, people tend to spend more time indoors in warm, enclosed spaces — the perfect setting for viruses to spread.

This time of year also marks the return to school for children after the summer break. Classrooms and nurseries can act like mini laboratories, full of circulating germs that children often bring home.

The same goes for university students. Freshers living together in halls share not just food and laughter, but also viruses. Late nights, drinking and stress can all lower immunity, making infections more likely to spread.

Is It a Cold, Flu or Covid?

Many of the symptoms of colds, flu and Covid overlap, but there are still some signs that can help you tell them apart.

Colds:

• Symptoms appear gradually
• Mostly affect the nose and throat
• You might feel pressure in your ears
• Often causes a chesty, mucus cough

Flu:

• Comes on suddenly
• Causes fever, muscle aches and tiredness
• You might feel so unwell that you need to stay in bed
• Usually brings a dry cough

Covid:

• Can look very similar to flu
• May include loss of smell or taste
• Some people experience diarrhoea or stomach upset
• Current variants, like Stratus and Nimbus, often cause a sharp sore throat

If you develop mild symptoms, the best advice is to rest and recover at home. But if you have an underlying health condition, feel breathless or your symptoms don’t improve after three weeks, you should seek medical help.

How to Help Yourself Recover

Our bodies naturally fight off most infections, but a few simple steps can make recovery easier:

Paracetamol or ibuprofen: These can lower fever and ease pain. Make sure you check medicine labels carefully, as many cold and flu mixtures already contain paracetamol.

Vitamin C: Although it’s popular for preventing colds, there’s limited proof it helps unless you’re deficient. Focus on eating a balanced diet instead.

Vitamin D: The NHS recommends taking a supplement in winter. It helps support your immune system.

Decongestant sprays: These offer quick relief from blocked noses, but using them for too long can make congestion worse once you stop. Try to use them for no more than four or five days.

Chicken soup: While it doesn’t cure colds, it can warm the throat, ease discomfort and keep you hydrated — which is essential for recovery.

In short: Cold weather doesn’t cause colds, but the habits that come with it certainly help viruses spread. Keep warm, stay clean, eat well, and rest when you need to — and if you’re offered the flu vaccine, it’s best to take it.