Why do people say it’s easier to get sick in the cold, or to put on a jacket to avoid catching a cold? Is this true?

Question

Why do people say it’s easier to get sick in the cold, or to put on a jacket to avoid catching a cold? Is this true?

In: Biology

Answer 1

You get sick for several reasons:

1. Bacteria
2. Viruses
3. Things that go wrong with your body (cancers, immune disorders, diabetes, etc)
4. Things that impair your bodies ability to keep itself healthy (too hot, too cold, dehydration, etc).

You cannot get a virus or bacteria because you are cold. If anything, getting a virus or bacteria is less likely. You could get hypothermia – one of #4 above. Once you have hypothermia, that might impact your immune system, making you more vulnerable to a virus or bacteria.