Every time when the winter arrives the sayings echoes in every household that put your coats on or you will get sick or make sure not to have iced coffees or lattees or you else you would have bad throat. We all must have heard them whether in our childhood or teenage lives. But how much reality actually lies in all the old-claims and can you actually get sick from cold weather?
In this article, we will separate the facts from the fiction and will look at what the science says to discover whether being cold makes you sick or not. Make sure you follow the post till the end as we have also discussed the modern insights, trends, and studies on the topic.
The Myth: Cold Air Causes Colds
The belief that cold temperatures can make you sick or catch a cold is one of the most persistent health myths you will ever hear. At the same time, the truth is much more nuanced.
The common cold and temperatures are caused by viruses and not by temperature. Most of the respiratory illnesses are triggered by viruses like rhinovirus, influenza, or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). You can only get cold or become sick if you intentionally or unintentionally get exposed to these viruses.
Now you must be thinking why people have associated it with winter, as it could be associated with summer, spring, or autumn season too. It is because winters have the most ideal conditions in which these viral transmissions can take place.
image taken from pexels
What Happens in Cold Weather?
1. Increased Indoor Exposure
As compared to other seasons, we tend to spend more time indoors in winter, such as in schools, colleges, or universities, and at the end, even in our houses too. These indoor places then become the breeding ground for the germs.
According to the CDC, seasonal flu activity peaks between December and February because in these months, the indoor crowding is seen at its highest. (Source: CDC)
2. Dry Air = Weaker Defenses
Cold air holds less moisture and to cope with heat when indoor spaces are heated the spaces become even drier. The lack of humidity results in drying the mucous membranes of your nose and throat which reduces the natural ability of your body to trap and fight the viruses.
Also, when there is low humidity in the environment, airborne viruses get the chance to live longer, which even results in increasing the chances of infections.
3. Weakened Immune Response
There is growing evidence that the cold temperatures suppress the immune system and it has also been noticed that the cold air can impair the body’s first immune response in the nose by up to 50%. This directly means that you are more exposed to getting viruses when there is a cold environment.
Case Studies and Industry Trends
To help you get a better understanding and to provide you some evidence on the mentioned stance in the article we have shared some case studies and industry trends.
1. UnityPoint Health Analysis
In a UnityPoint Health Analysis, Dr Rossana Rosa addresses the persistent myth of cold relating to temperature. In her article, she clearly mentioned that people might feel cold when they are underdressed but it is because of their exposure to the viruses but not the temperature that causes illness.
In her stance, she has laid quite an emphasis on:
· Flu vaccines
· Hand hygiene
· Avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick
It is far more effective in preventing illness rather than getting caught by the disease and then building up immunity against it.
2. Bupa UK on Cold-Weather Illness
In the expert review by professionals in Bupa UK, they have mentioned that cold weather can exacerbate existing health conditions like:
· Asthma
· COPD
· Or heart disease
These conditions make winters a crucial season for vulnerable populations. But again, they stress that cold exposure alone doesn’t cause colds.
image taken from pixabay
Insights on Healthcare Trends:
· Increased use of air purifiers and humidifiers in homes and offices is a growing trend to combat the indoor conditions that spread illness during exposure of people in these times.
· The popularity of telemedicine increases as people prefer to seek online consultations so that they can avoid unnecessary interactions in the clinic.
· Flu vaccinations are also initiated and intensified every winter season. Most importantly, they are backed by the government, which highlights the focus on prevention over myths.
People Ask
Can Being Cold Lower Your Immune System?
Yes, studies suggest that inhaling cold air may reduce the immune response in your nasal passages, increasing vulnerability to infection.
Why Do Colds Spread More In Winter?
People gather indoors, the air is drier, and viruses survive longer in low humidity, all creating a perfect storm for illness.
Will Dressing Warmly Keep Me From Getting Sick?
It won’t prevent viruses, but it helps regulate your body temperature and prevent issues like hypothermia or frostbite.
Final Talk
While cold weather itself doesn’t directly make you sick, it creates the perfect conditions for viruses to spread more easily, like spending more time indoors, drier air, and potentially lower immune defenses.
So, the real culprit behind winter illnesses isn’t the temperature, but the viruses that thrive in those environments. Staying warm, maintaining good hygiene, getting vaccinated, and keeping your indoor air healthy are the best ways to protect yourself during the colder months.
