Myths surrounding the common cold are almost as common as the cold itself. Time for some mythbusting!
Autum's here. That means the common cold is doing its rounds again, along with stubborn old wives' tales that explain that being cold gives you a cold. What's the actual reason people get colds? Can wrapping up warm prevent a cold? How about stocking up on Vitamin C? Do only people with a weakened immune system get a cold?
The common cold is one of the most frequent ailments out there, and it's a prime reason for school children and workers alike to take time off sick. No wonder that it's talked about so much. There's an awful lot of myth-busting to do, however.
How Do You Catch A Cold?
First off, where did the common cold catch its name? Colds most commonly turn up during the cold, rainy and windy seasons of autumn and winter. This is probably how they got their name in English, but also in at least three other languages I'm personally familiar with. If you want to use medical terminology, you'd instead call it asopharyngitis, rhinopharyngitis or acute coryza, though. It's most commonly caused by the rhinovirus, though over 200 other viruses can also lead to colds.
We all know the symptoms — a runny nose, sore throat, and constant sneezing. You catch a cold from another person who's infected with one of the numerous viruses that cause a cold, when they sneeze into the air and the virus comes your way, or when you touch a surface they previously contaminated, like a door knob, a keyboard, a handle on the train, or anything, really.
Does Being Cold Give You A Cold?
The idea that being exposed to cold temperatures gives you a cold is a very stubborn one indeed. Just being out in the cold, even without a jacket, or a scarf, or a hat, will not give you a cold. It's important to note that being out in the cold, especially without a jacket on, actually seems to stimulate the immune system, rather than destroying it. Enjoying some fresh air in the winter gets the hormone norepinephrine going, and this hormone acts as a decongestant.
People are, in fact, most likely to catch a cold in crowded — but usually not cold, because we do like to heat our homes, offices, and public spaces — place, where your proximity to lots of other people is more likely to expose you to one of the many cold-causing viruses.
Back when the old wives' tale that being cold gives you a cold appeared, germ theory hadn't yet developed and people sought to come up with seemingly logical explanations without having the full scientific picture. Recent research, however, does suggest there is more to this idea that you may think, so don't dismiss the idea that being cold gives you a cold quite yet.
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Not everyone who is exposed to a cold virus gets symptoms. What differentiates those who get ill after exposure from those who don't? A study conducted on mice and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences at the beginning of 2015 showed that having a cold nose is, indeed, more likely to make you ill if you are exposed to a cold virus. This doesn't mean that cold temperatures supress the immune system as a whole. It does mean that cold temperatures may suppress the localized immune system inside the nose. The researchers' advice? Keep your nose warm. (They have no advice about what to do with the rest of your body.)
Stubborn Myths About The Common Cold That Just Won't Die
Now that we've got the bit about being cold and getting a cold out the way, what else do we need to look at? People also commonly say that people who catch colds have weakened immune systems, that lots of vitamin C will cure a cold or prevent one, and that colds can be cured with antibiotics. These myths aren't just untrue, they may also stop us from taking measures that will actually reduce our chances of catching a cold.
Let's be clear about these things:
- You don't need to have a weakened immune system to catch a cold.
- Taking vitamin C will not prevent colds. Some studies show that it will cut the duration of your symptoms short, while others suggest it does not make a difference.
- Antibiotics target bacterial infections, and the cold is caused by a wide range of viruses. Taking antibiotics for a cold will not help you any.
- Finally, good nutritional habits won't reduce the duration of cold symptoms.
What Can You Do To Prevent Colds?
Thankfully, taking some simple proactive steps can really go a long way towards preventing a cold that will keep you home from work.
One of the most important steps you can take is to wash your hands frequently. Studies show that touchinh surfaces that were contamindated 18 hours ago can still lead to a cold, so taking personal hygiene seriously goes a long way!
Use soap and water, wash your hands for about 20 seconds, and make sure to dry your hands with a clean towel. Do not touch your nose, mouth, or eyes with hands you haven't washed yet, especially if you have been in contact with surfaces in public spaces that may have exposed you to viruses.
Avoiding people who already have cold symptoms can prove to be rather tricky indeed, but it's an effective way to prevent a cold if you can do it.
And if you do get a cold? It simply has to run its course, unfortunately. While you have symptoms, try to protect other people from getting your virus by disinfecting surfaces you touch, avoid hugging and kissing people, and don't sneeze into the open air. Other than that rest as much as you can, drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated, and use over the counter cold medication to find some relief from your symptoms if you like. Remember that most adults will catch a cold two or three times a year, and that you'll probably be all better within 10 days. Contact your doctor if symptoms last longer than 10 days, if you have breathing difficulties, or a high fever.