6 Winter Infections That Look Harmless but Can Turn Serious

Winter is often accompanied with sniffles, sore throats, and mild coughs, ailments that many people brush off as seasonal inconveniences. However, health experts warn that some of these winter infections, though unimportant initially, might quietly snowball into serious health problems if not timely treated or managed with negligence. Knowing these risks and taking early action can help understand the difference between a quick recovery and prolonged illness.

Early symptoms are often misleading, so to understand them better the editorial team of Onlymyhealth reached out to according to Dr Brunda M S, Senior Consultant - Internal Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, and she explained that during winter, some infections look mild in the initial period but can become serious if it is left unnoticed. “The cold weather, decreased immunity, indoor crowding, and low water consumption in cold weather all predispose us to quicker-worsening infections during winter,” she shared. Read ahead to know everything she shared with us.

Can Common Cold Just Be a Cold?

The cold is possibly the most underestimated illness during winter. While many colds go away on their own, nasal congestion or facial pain may be indicative of sinus infections. In some cases, if colds are left unaddressed, they may cause ear infections, mainly in children, or trigger asthma attacks in both kids and adults. What started as a runny nose may quietly blossom into weeks of discomfort and complications.

When to Worry For a Sore Throat

The tendency often is to dismiss a sore throat as a reaction to cold air or to voice strain. But Dr Brunda said some sore throats are caused by strep bacteria. If strep throat is left untreated, it may lead to high fever and joint pain, with some rare complications due to heart problems as well, like rheumatic fever. Persistent throat pain, fever, or difficulty swallowing should never be ignored.

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Can Flu Be Problematic, Too?

The typical symptoms of influenza are cold-like symptoms, including body aches, fever, and fatigue. However, this can quickly escalate into a rapid downward spiral. "Flu often starts like a cold but can cause pneumonia, dehydration, or breathing trouble," noted Dr Brunda. This is true for those over 65, pregnant women, and people with low immunity. Early diagnosis and rest will help avoid hospitalisation.

Mild Coughs that can Mask Chest Infections

A lingering winter cough is easy to overlook, but it may be an early sign of bronchitis or chest infection. Poor rest and/or a delay in treatment may lead to serious lung infections. The cold air causes aggravation of the airways, leaving the lungs with a higher vulnerability during these months.

Urinary Infections and Winter Dehydration Trap

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are not only a summer problem. In winter, people drink less water, making them more susceptible. One may think that mild burning while passing urine is bearable, but if left unattended, this may lead to the spread of the UTI to the kidneys, accompanied by fever and back pain, and complications arise.

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Skin Infections Thrive on Dry, Cracked Skin

Winter dryness could lead to cracked skin, thus giving easy access to entry points for bacteria and fungi. Minor skin infections can get worse rather fast in case of a compromised skin barrier condition, especially in people with diabetes or low immunity.

As Dr Brunda pointed out, "Early medical care prevents complications and keeps winter infections from becoming dangerous." The other approaches to winter health involve being watchful about worsening symptoms, keeping hydrated, maintaining hygiene, and seeking timely advice from physicians.

Bottomline

Winter infections may start small, but ignoring early warning signs can allow them to escalate into serious health conditions and prompt care is key.