Can the cold give you a cold?
KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) – Growing up most children were told to bundle up in the winter if they wanted to avoid a trip to the doctor’s office.
Layering on clothes when it’s cold will protect you from hypothermia and frostbite, but it won’t protect you from getting ill because experts say you can’t catch a virus from the weather.
Doctors say the frigid temperatures can contribute to getting you sick, but it does not actually make you sick.
Falling ill has much more to do with how people are exposed to cold and flu viruses.
When it is cold outside, doctor’s office do tend to get busier. So, 2 NEWS asked if people don’t get sick from the weather, why are doctors busier during fall and winter?
“With the cooler temperatures people tend to congregate indoors allowing the virus to pass along people in close quarters. The moisure in the air drops and the moisture in your mucous membranes are not as high in warm weathers and the virus can actually make you sick in the cold weather,” said Dr. Julie Knott, Kettering Medical Center.
Dr. Knott says their seeing a major decrease in flu cases. They believe that’s because more people got the flu shot.
To build your immune system doctors suggest a healthy diet, exercise and good hygiene.