How Does Summer Weather Affect Viruses?

Everyone knows cold and flu season hits during winter, but summer brings its own set of viral threats that most people don't even think about. The hot, humid weather that defines summer actually creates perfect conditions for certain viruses to thrive while making others practically disappear.

Heat and Humidity Create Viral Hotspots

Summer's combination of heat and humidity creates an ideal breeding ground for many viruses. High humidity keeps viral particles hanging in the air longer, while warm temperatures actually help some viruses survive and spread more effectively.

Enteroviruses absolutely love summer weather. These nasty bugs cause everything from hand, foot, and mouth disease to viral meningitis, and they peak during the hottest months. The warm, moist conditions help them survive on surfaces longer and spread more easily between people.

Norovirus, the stomach bug that ruins cruise ships and summer camps, also thrives in hot weather. While it can strike year-round, summer outbreaks tend to be way more severe because the virus survives longer in warm conditions and spreads rapidly in crowded summer activities.