Science Forums 2

[Michaelangelica]

Q: Will you get a cold if you catch a chill?
A: No, colds are caused by viruses. You can not get a cold or flu from being cold.

Our expert: Professor Raina MacIntyre

Published 02/04/2008

Will you get a cold if you catch a chill? - Health & Wellbeing
Some other points of view:-

Margaret Clark :

03 Apr 2008 10:02:17pm

The lack of association between cold temperature and developing a cold is likely due to the experimental design, rather than the purported link. If you take a subgroup of immunocompromised, fatigued, poorly nutrited subjects and expose them to cold or normal temperature and viral infections, those in the cold environment would be more susceptible, as energy would be used for heat maintainence thereby compromising the immune system further. In addition some immune responses eg antibodies are temperature related.
Personally, once a throat viral infection has commenced, it is preferable not to breathe cold air, not to have wet hair, and to wear a scarf whilst outdoors. Warm nebulised air is used to aid breathing for respiratory conditions.

Gerald Hunter :

03 Apr 2008 7:21:14pm

This article without double blind proof is just an other opinion. No-one can tell me that when sweaty and moist, getting a chill is not a fast way to a cold.
However it is worth repeating that frequently washing your hands when out of your home is one great defense and avoiding coughing and snotty people is an other one. Let alone tasting fruit etc in the supermarket. Tell your guests, not to come if they have a cold.
These prevention ideas go for the Professor also, before she does the scientific number crunching.