Colds and flu are more common during the winter months.
There are many misconceptions regarding the causes of these diseases and their risk factors.
You may have heard that going outside in the rain with wet hair can make you sick.
Is this claim true?
How colds and flu spread
Colds do not result from exposure to cold temperatures, nor is there any evidence that wet or dirty hair can cause sickness.
Viral infections are the cause of cold and flu.
You may catch a cold by:
- Avoiding someone who is sick
- Share food and drinks with sick people
- Touching a surface that has been touched by a person who is contagious, and then touching your own face
A cold or flu can only be contracted if the virus is pathogenic.
While wet hair may not make you sick, it could make you feel colder , and reduce your immune system’s capacity to fight infection.
The relationship between your immune system and temperature is more complex than that.
Cold exposure can cause physiological stress. Stress that is severe and lasts a long time can affect the immune systems. It can increase inflammation and suppress the activity of certain immunity cells.
Acute or short-term cold stresses can have the opposite impact and actually improve your immune system. Your immune system reacts as though it were under threat, which means it mobilizes all its resources to combat the potential threat.
Your immune system could receive a boost if you go outside on a cold, wet day and quickly return to normal temperatures.
Your immune system can be suppressed if you are consistently cold or stay out in the elements for a long time.
Why do you get sick in winter?
It is not the cold temperatures that are causing the increase in colds and influenza during the winter months .
It is more likely that people are spending more time inside in close proximity .
In the summer, people spend more time outside, which can help to reduce the spread and transmission of infection. When it is cold, people tend to gather in smaller spaces like offices, classrooms and homes.
Close contact between people allows for the spread of viruses.
You may help to reduce the spread of contagious diseases by:
- Washing your hands regularly
- Avoid touching your face
- Covering the mouth when you cough or sneeze
- When you’re sick, or near someone who’s sick, wear a mask
- Avoiding close contact to symptomatic individuals
- Vaccinations: Stay up to date
Rest and stay at home if you’re sick. Take over-the-counter pain relievers and drink plenty of water to ease your symptoms.
Consult a doctor for severe symptoms or if there are underlying conditions that could lead to complications
