Catch a Cold: Debunking Common Myths

It's late night in the middle of July and the weather is just shy of forcing our 24-year-old Jasmine to close all the windows and hibernate. She grew up listening to her mother talk on and on about not letting the cold air in and bathing in hot water to keep the sniffles away.

The crisp autumn air nips at her cheeks, sending shivers down her spine. She pulls her coat tighter, vowing never to leave the warmth of her blanket fort again. But then, a tickle in her throat and a familiar sniffle follow. "See," her mother's voice echoes, "I told you not to go outside without a scarf! You caught a cold!"

And Jasmine resists the urge not to curse out and instead puts on her big girl pants. Time to find out the answer to the question that haunts her winter: Can I catch a cold from cold weather?

If you were ever in Jasmine's shoes, you would have definitely asked yourself the same question: Is cold weather really the culprit behind the sniffles?

Or is it just a common cold myth?

As North India went through a cold wave this January and decade-long data backing up the severity with 800 deaths annually from exposure to the cold, Kofuku is here to clear away the fog and debunk the science behind catching a cold!

The Real Culprit

The truth is that a little bit of chilly air itself doesn't directly cause colds. The real enemy is the one we learnt about in third grade, our little brains utterly fascinated by the microscopic, unwelcome visitors: viruses.

More than 200 different viruses love to invade our upper respiratory tracts: Nose, throat and airways. Of which a group of viruses called rhinoviruses alone are the cause of 30-35% of colds in adults. These tiny villains spread through coughs, sneezes, and even close contact. So, when someone around you is infected and lets out a hearty sneeze, those rhinoviruses can hitch a ride on tiny droplets and land right in your nose or eyes.

Congratulations! You are officially on your way to catching a cold. Or more accurately, it caught you.

Viruses make sense. But cold weather? Where does it factor in?

Here's what we found: while cold weather isn't your one-way ticket to being infected, it can create conditions that nudge forward the cold virus transmission.

• Social Distancing is Real and It Can Save You: Winter often means spending more time indoors, the optimal time for homebodies with one disadvantage. It requires closer proximity to others, for example, a crowded classroom or a stuffy office. The closer you are to someone infected, the higher the chances of inhaling those virus-heavy droplets. Even an innocent sharing of food or water can spread these little blighters.

• Stay Smooth, Stay Healthy: Cold air tends to be drier, which can dry out the mucous membranes in your nose and throat. These membranes are basically your bouncers, trapping and filtering out germs. When dry and cracked, they become less effective, allowing viruses to enter all willy-nilly. Scientists have even discovered that your nose is out of commission essentially removing half of your immunity from the playfield!

• Viruses are Survivors: WHO says that colder temperatures might let rhinoviruses and other flu viruses survive for longer periods outside the body. Why? Because cold viruses are resistant to cold, who would've thought that? This means those virus particles can linger on surfaces like doorknobs or toys, waiting for an unsuspecting unsanitized hand to piggyback off of to the promised lands. A successful cold virus transmission!

While the common cold is the most famous winter woe, the shivering weather can also bring about all sorts of other health conditions. Some of them are:

• The Flu (H3N2): The Union Health Ministry is watching the spread of the influenza virus like a hawk through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). It's basically another enemy of the country. It thrives in similar conditions and peaks during January to March and post-monsoon days. Thankfully its mortality rate is very low in India with Karnataka and Haryana claiming one death each from seasonal influenza.

• Asthma: Cold air can trigger bronchoconstriction, a tightening of the airways in people with asthma. This can lead to wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing, making the mildly manageable condition utterly difficult during the winter.

• Heart Health: A six-year study by Dr Shuangbo Liu shows that for every 10 °C drop in temperature, the risk of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) increased by 7%. When you're exposed to cold temperatures, your body works harder to maintain its core temperature, leading to increased BP and heart rate. This can potentially increase the risk of heart attack in people who are more susceptible to it.

How do you once and for all decode this cold myth and protect yourself against it? Here are some tips on what to do when the temperature drops:

• Killing Those 99.9% Germs is First Order of Business: This can prevent the spread of germs. Washing your hands like you are Lady Macbeth herself for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public places or blowing your nose will go a long way.

• Protect Your Bouncers Part Uno: A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides your body with the nutrients it needs to fight off any minor infection. Building up your immunity today can turn the weather's impact on health and make you literally into Superman, trust us. Don't forget to stay hydrated because dehydration can further dry out your mucous membranes and we all know where that leads.

• Jacket it up: There's rarely any time to dress in layers because of the wonderful Indian weather. But winter is THE It's only a bonus if this allows you to adjust to changes in temperature better and avoid sweating too much so you don't get chills when you go back outside.

• Protect Your Bouncers Part Dos: People might give you weird looks but they don't care about your mucous membranes and you do. Adding moisture to the air can help keep them moist and in tip-top condition.

• Don't listen to the Karens, Vaccinations are Literally Godsent: The flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from Influenza A (H1N1) and Influenza B. It decreases the risk by around 40-60%, especially during the peak seasons. Talk to your primary doctor about getting vaccinated annually.

Now that we've got the big important stuff out of the way, here are some other facts you might not have known about the cold weather as a little treat for reaching this far:

• Did you know that there's actually a name for the fear of cold weather? It's called frigophobia or cheimaphobia, though thankfully, it's not a very common phobia (our counter for common cold puns has reached the asteroid belt by now).

• Whoever said traditions are bull, can eat a chicken soup about it because some winter traditions might actually have some scientific backing. This classic cold remedy gives you all the fluids and electrolytes with exquisite taste, as well as potentially acting as a mild decongestant thanks to the steam. A literal healing potion if we've ever seen one.

Winter is a beautiful season, hands down. It's a time for comfy blanket forts in the evenings and enjoying the cool days outside.

By understanding the science behind colds and taking some much-needed preventative measures, you can get the best out of winter without succumbing to a coughing fit.

Bundling up is important, but it's the fight against germs that truly keeps you healthy during the cold weather. So wash your hands, eat well, and get enough sleep – and you might just surprise yourself with a winter free from the common cold!

Another cold myth solved by the resident Sherlock Holmes of healthcare. Well, the scientists did most of the work but still. The important thing is that you really can get cold from cold weather but that's not the only criteria that got you here, reading a blog about it.

Stay healthy and stay safe. Don't let the sniffles get you this season!