As the Fall season approaches this winter and the outside temperature begin to drop, one myth I’ve heard is whether the dip in temperatures causes us to get sick with the cold. Let’s dive further into this:
In order for someone to get sick with the common cold, a virus that causes the common cold has to invade and infect that person’s immune system. One of the more common viruses that causes the common cold are called rhinoviruses. The virus mainly enters the body via the nose and mouth through aerosols and droplets in the air (think coughing and sneezing). Other methods that the virus can infect us is through direct or indirect contact such as shaking hands with someone infected with the cold or touching an object with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose, mouth afterwards.
So… what’s the link with cold weather and catching the cold?
Well, the cold weather does not “infect” us with the cold. We still need to come into contact with the virus through one of the means mentioned above. However, the cold weather could make us more susceptible to catching a cold. A 2016 study investigated whether a decrease in daily temperature and humidity increased the risk of a rhinovirus infection in a cold climate. What they found was that a decrease in temperature and humidity over 3 days is associated with increased risk of rhinovirus infections.
As the temperature drops, our immune system is affected by the cold. Another study in 2023 was examining the immune response in the nasal passages to respiratory viral infections. The researchers discovered that exposure to cold temperatures impaired the nasal immune response. This research provides potential insight into why humans catch colds in cooler temperatures.
We should also consider that during the season of cold weather, there are other factors that could lead to catching the common cold. The school year begins in September, thus increasing the risk for students to be exposed to the virus from each other and passing it on to their families and friends. People are also staying indoors more often during the cold season, which means an increase in direct transmission between infected and healthy individuals. The low humidity in the indoor air causes dry nasal passages which can be more susceptible to infection.
Back to the question – does cold weather cause us to get the cold?
Yes and no. Cold weather itself does not cause a cold, but it creates conditions which are favourable for people to catch the cold.
The more we know.
P.S. Check out my recent Instagram post for a simple tip to prevent colds and flus