Does getting wet or catching cold actually increase the chance of coming down with flu, colds, pneumonia etc?
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A few things are going on
It is very common for the body to react to cold in a similar manner as it might react to a rhino virus – especially increased mucus production and sneezing. The body is trying to warm up air between intake and the lungs. This is not the same as being sick, but it can be uncomfortable and manifest itself somewhat as if one were sick.
Perhaps in some cases the body trying to “focus” on staying warm means the immune system is less capable of fighting off an actual illness and increasing susceptibility to it.
A true illness is caused by either bacteria or a virus and is contracted, usually from touching a contaminated surface. If people are sneezing and coughing and blowing their nose because they are cold, then that increases contact with the vulnerable parts of the face.
People huddled together inside because its cold increases chances of communicability.
There is some research showing that flu and other viruses are more resilient in cold weather. It’s like they have a “protective” layer on them which “melts off” in warm weather, so they can thrive easier travel more and stick around longer in cold weather.
So the stage is set pretty well for more people to get sick during cold weather, and also for more people who aren’t actually sick to appear as if they were sick.
Cheers
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