Viruses are 'more dangerous' in the morning

A new study by University of Cambridge claims that we are more susceptible to viruses in the morning.

The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, says the virus is ten times more successful if the infection takes place in the beginning of the day.

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This is due to the body's "internal clock," which is the layman's term for the body's circadian rhythm. Disrupting this rhythm in the morning allows viruses to "lock in" and fester throughout the day.

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People who have varying schedules, then, can be more at risk than those who don't. Lead author Dr. Rachel Edgar said, "This [study] indicates that shift workers, who work some nights and rest some nights and so have a disrupted body clock, will be more susceptible to viral diseases."

Edgar and the other authors hope this study can help others, such as figure out who should first receive annual flu vaccines.