Do you really get sick more often in winter? I asked a doctor to find out

(CNN) — Who’s tired of being sick? Me, definitely.

So many family members, friends and coworkers would raise their hands right now, too, if I asked them. Since temperatures dropped across the United States, my family has gotten through some nasty colds and undiagnosed viral infections, bronchitis, and several Covid-19 tests (all negative, thank goodness).

I’m sure Thanksgiving holiday travel has spread all sorts of illness (not that I’m blaming the crowds who joined me at the National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville, North Carolina). Meanwhile, the appearance of a new flu variant and lagging vaccination rates will probably contribute to a severe flu season, much like last year or even worse.

What should you and I do? I turned to CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, an emerge