The myth that being outside in cold weather can directly cause a common cold is long-standing and widespread. The belief is rooted in a simple and understandable correlation that people tend to observe: cold weather coincides with an increased frequency of colds. However, the reality of this association is much more complex and less direct than simply equating cold weather with catching a cold.
Scientifically, the common cold is an illness caused by viruses, most commonly rhinoviruses. These tiny microscopic organisms invade the cells in your nose and throat, causing the symptoms of a cold. Exposure to cold weather doesn’t create these viruses; they are contracted from other people who are already infected.
The origins of this myth are hard to pinpoint exactly. It’s likely a confluence of observations and beliefs that have reinforced the idea over time. In many cultures, the health effects of weather have long been a subject of folklore. The belief that cold weather or getting chilled can lead to illness is prevalent in many societies around the world. This may have its roots in the observable fact that colds and the flu are indeed more common in the cold, winter months, a phenomenon that has been documented for centuries.
However, the increased prevalence of colds in the winter is likely due to a few factors that have nothing to do with cold temperatures causing illness directly. One major factor is that people tend to spend more time indoors and in close contact with each other when the weather is cold, which increases the chances of viral transmission.
Additionally, in colder weather, the air tends to be drier both outdoors and inside heated buildings. The dry air can dry out the mucous membranes in the nose, making it easier for viruses to invade. It’s also worth mentioning that some studies suggest that cold weather might somewhat suppress the immune system, making people more susceptible to infections, although this is still a matter of ongoing research and the effect, if present, is likely to be minor compared to the direct transmission of viruses.
Moreover, some studies have suggested that the rhinovirus may reproduce more efficiently in cooler temperatures, such as those found in the nasal passages compared to the core body temperature. This might be one reason why the virus has a preference for the nose.
One particularly relevant piece of scientific research was conducted by the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University in 2005. In this experiment, 180 participants were asked to sit in their underwear for 20 minutes in a cold, 5°C room, while their feet were submerged in a bowl of cold water. The research found no significant difference in the likelihood of developing a cold between those exposed to cold and damp conditions and those in the control group.
In conclusion, while there is a correlation between cold weather and the common cold, it’s a complex relationship that’s not as simple as “cold weather causes colds”. The common cold is caused by viruses, and while cold, dry weather might potentially create conditions that help the virus spread and infect people more easily, simply being out in the cold doesn’t directly cause one to catch a cold. The myth likely originated from a mistaken assumption based on the observed correlation between cold weather and the prevalence of colds, coupled with longstanding cultural beliefs about the effects of weather on health.
