Nothing can “effect” anything. “Effect” is a noun. “Affect” is a verb.
Main Entry: 2effect
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1533
1: to cause to come into being
2 a: to bring about often by surmounting obstacles : accomplish effect a settlement of a dispute
b: to put into operation the duty of the legislature to effect the will of the citizens
synonyms see perform
usage Effect and affect are often confused because of their similar spelling and pronunciation. The verb 2affect usually has to do with pretense she affected a cheery disposition despite feeling down. The more common 3affect denotes having an effect or influence the weather affected everyone's mood. The verb effect goes beyond mere influence; it refers to actual achievement of a final result the new administration hopes to effect a peace settlement. The uncommon noun affect, which has a meaning relating to psychology, is also sometimes mistakenly used for the very common effect. In ordinary use, the noun you will want is effect waiting for the new law to take effect the weather had an effect on everyone's mood.
The noun effect' Etymology: Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin effectus, from efficere to bring about, from ex- + facere to make, do — more at do Date: 14th century
The noun affect' Etymology: Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin affectus, from afficere
From http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=affect
affect (n.) Look up affect at Dictionary.com
c.1374, "mental state," from L. affectus, pp. of afficere "act on, have influence on," a verb of broad meaning, from ad- "to" + facere (pp. factus) "do" (see factitious). The verb meaning "to make an impression on" is attested from 1631.
affect (v.) Look up affect at Dictionary.com
"to make a pretense of," 1661, earlier "to assume the character of (someone)" (1591); originally in Eng. "to aim at, aspire to, make for" (1483), from M.Fr. affecter (15c.), from L. affectare "to strive after, aim at," freq. of afficere (pp. affectus) "to do something to, act on" (see affect (n.)).
effect (n.) Look up effect at Dictionary.com
c.1385, "result," from O.Fr. effect, from L. effectus "accomplishment, performance," from stem of efficere "work out, accomplish," from ex- "out" + facere "to do" (see factitious). The verb is from 1589. Sense in stage effect, sound effect, etc. first recorded 1881. Effects "goods, property" is from 1704. Effective "having result" is from 1760; earlier in this sense was effectual (c.1386).
(I had been taught Affect is more associated with producing a subjective emotion, while Effect is more tangible cause of result. From the etymology it appears to be more influenced by the causitive agent. Af--towards, Ef---From)
Perhaps the author was affected by a cold spell.