Cold Weather Myths: Why the Temperature Isn’t What Makes You Sick

Every single time the weather begins getting cold, warnings among friends and family get made: "Don't catch a cold!" People start saying things like, "Wear a jacket or you'll get sick!" or "Don't go out with wet hair in the cold." When loads of individuals claim this idea, it is easy to think that the cold weather itself causes illness. As convincing as these beliefs may sound, the truth is that cold temperatures don't cause illness, viruses do.

The human body immune system works every single day nonstop to keep your body safe from germs. When people are near others, touch contaminated things, or breathe in droplets from sneezes of someone who has already become sick, viruses such as the cold or flu spread very quickly. This does not occur because of the change in the temperature, it occurs because of human behavior changes. When the temperature gets colder, people begin staying indoors more with windows that remain shut, leading to poor air circulation, and creating a perfect environment for viruses to spread among groups of people.  

So, why does this medical myth about cold weather causing illness still exist among many people in current society? When people get sick during the winter, they often blame the temperature because it’s the change that is the most noticeable. However, the real reason for increasing illness is exposure to germs, not the cold weather itself. Additionally, dry winter air can also irritate the nose and throat, which makes it a lot easier for viruses to enter the human body. This can make it feel like the cold temperature itself is the cause, but it is actually the virus taking advantage of weakened barriers, not the temperature making people sick.

To beat this myth, rather than staying away from the cold, the things one can do to support their immune system and reduce the chances of falling ill include frequent hand washing, avoiding touching one's face, active lifestyle, good sleep, proper diet, etc. These types of habits help the body fight off viruses better than avoiding the outdoors. Even in cold weather, fresh air is much healthier compared to staying indoors among crowds of people for long periods of time. Through our nonprofit, Aware Together, debunking such medical myths as "cold weather makes you sick" is integral to our mission of providing health information-accurate and clear-so that people can make informed decisions. The takeaway here is simple and clear: temperatures don't cause illness; viruses do.