Can going out in cold weather really make you sick? Experts answer

Temperatures are dropping, it’s colder and wetter as winter fast approaches. And like most people have been raised to do, you’re making sure not to leave your hair wet when you’re going outside and layering up. You do this not just to stay warm, but to protect yourself from catching a cold. But, is there really a link between cold and wet weather and catching a cold?

Rhinoviruses and low temperatures

The average adult catches a cold two or three times in a year, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Common colds are caused by coming into contact with a family of viruses known as rhinoviruses, not cold weather itself. They are the most common cause and are responsible for around half of all colds and cold-like illnesses.

These viruses spread more widely in spring and autumn, while the virus that causes the flu – influenza – peaks in the winter. Dr Nisa Aslam from Puressentiel told Yahoo Life UK:

The only way you get a cold is when you come into contact with the cold virus. Exposure to cold weather does not make people more prone to getting colds.

Is there a link then?

Although cold weather is not totally responsible for illnesses, research suggests that rhinoviruses tend to replicate more efficiently at temperatures that are lower than the average core body temperature in humans (37 °C, or 98.6 °F).

When it starts getting colder, the temperature inside the nasal cavity drops to approximately 33°C (91.4°F), which may make it an ideal breeding ground for rhinoviruses. But Dr Aslam says this does not establish a strong link.

This research does not confirm that lower outside temperatures increase the risk of rhinovirus infection.

While the cold can’t be the only reason, there is a connection between being chilled and getting sick: cold air may contribute to conditions that lead to illness. Relatedly, it is thought that constantly being in low temperatures can mess with your immunity, making it harder for your body to fight off any contact with the cold virus.

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Sources used:

Healthline: Myth Busters: Does Cold Weather Make You Sick?

Medical News Today: What's the link between cold weather and the common cold?

Yahoo Life: Can you get a cold from cold weather? Our experts debunk the myth