Misconception: Being Cold Will Make you Sick

We have all been told, "Put a coat on, you'll catch a cold.", or "Don't go outside with wet hair, you'll get sick".
This is not entirely true, truth is, simply being cold won't make you sick.

Fact: Germs make you sick, a person can not get sick, unless they are exposed to bacteria or a virus.

The myth that being cold can cause sickness, was likely created as a way to explain the existence of illnesses and fevers. This was at a time when illnesses were not understood and there was no successful way to treat them.

This misconception annoys me, because people stand their ground whenever you try to correct them. Even with facts in hand, people will hold on to this misconception. It is also such a widely held belief that I am constantly hearing people say "Little David got sick, because he was outside without a coat on.". No, little David is sick because he came in to contact with germs, period.

Cold Weather

It gets a little complicated, being cold itself does not cause you to get ill. However, there are some reasons why this myth is still around and at a glance has became a commonly held belief.

• People spend more time indoors when it is cold outside. Therefore, they are exposed to more germs from objects they come into contact with. Recycled air also comes into play here.

• Some germs thrive in the cold weather. Other germs thrive in dry conditions. So your environment does effect which germs may be happily breeding.

• Your immune system actually improves and is boosted when you are acutely cold. However, being too cold (think hypothermia) will cause your immune system to stop working as efficiently. The beginning state of your immune system (before exposure to germs), also plays a role here. If you already have a weakened immune system, you are already more likely to get sick, regardless of whether you get cold or not.

• Our noses filter out germs. When mucus membranes become "dry" their ability to filter out infection is diminished.

Simple ways to Minimize your Exposure to Germs

• Avoid sick people. This may seem like common sense, but if possible stay away from anyone who is sick.

• Frequently wash your hands.

• Disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, phones, keyboards and even light switches. This is super important when someone who has been sick has been in your home/office.

• Avoid touching your face.

• Eat a nutritional diet.

Thanks for reading.

Sources

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2016/12/27/why-do-people-get-colds-in-cold-weather/?c=0&s=trending#7660c33d467c

https://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-and-flu/colds-and-the-weather.aspx

http://factmyth.com/factoids/being-cold-can-increase-your-risk-of-getting-sick/

http://www.pixabay.com