When I was a kid and i learnt about diseases in school it was that micorganisms of various kinds cause them. However since growing up I’d always been told by my parents to cover myself properly when being exposed to the cold e.g. wearing warm clothes after getting out of a hot shower in winter even though you might not immediately feel cold.
I asked my science teacher and he told me that when exposed to temperatures outside of what our body is normally used to, our body becomes more susceptible to being ill because our immune system is compromised. I think about this every now and then if I’m ever cold or sick because I didnt feel fully satisfied with his answer. I’ve also read in some places on the internet that this is just an old wives tale. Would someone give me a definitive answer to this query? ( I am currently on sick leave after being in a cold place for a while and I was thinking about this again)
In: Biology
There are some truths; but mostly a lot of bs.
Being cold or being in the cold or winter time does not make you sick. You can spend days out in the cold without an increased risk of being sick
Being cold outside usually means people are spending time inside; being around people inside. This makes germ transmission more likely (and the real culprit of the cold = sick)
Cold air is dry; which can cause changes in the nasal passages and throat. This might make it slightly easier for germs to penetrate the protective membranes…..but not to the degree which people claim
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