Main content

A Cold Case Part 1

Why do we get more colds in winter? A viral story for Rutherford and Fry

β€œI suppose a cold is called a cold because we catch it in the winter," writes Alison Evans from St Albans. "But why is it that we get more colds in winter than in the summer?”

This week's Cold Case is all about the common cold, a set of symptoms caused by hundreds of different strains of cold and flu viruses.

Adam uncovers the stinky history of infectious disease with medical historian Claire Jones.

Virologists Jonathan Ball and Wendy Barclay describe how spiky viruses lock on to our cells, but why many of the symptoms of a common cold are due to our own body's overreaction.

Plus, we delve into the science of sneezing with nose doctor Carl Philpott.

Presenters: Adam Rutherford, Hannah Fry
Producer: Michelle Martin

Available now

34 minutes

Last on

Thu 21 Apr 2022 21:45

Broadcasts

  • Wed 26 Feb 2020 09:30
  • Wed 26 Feb 2020 20:45
  • Sat 29 Feb 2020 05:45
  • Sun 17 Apr 2022 10:45
  • Sun 17 Apr 2022 21:45
  • Thu 21 Apr 2022 11:45
  • Thu 21 Apr 2022 21:45

Why do you see faces in unexpected places?

We are β€œhardwired” for recognising faces and it starts at birth.

Podcast