"Cold weather itself makes you sick"

Question

Pretty much anyone believes that cold weather can get people sick, but this is only a myth. Colds and flu really do seem more common in the winter but the chill does not get you. Instead, low humidity and being indoors with others make it easier for germs to spread. Dry air dries out the membranes in your nose, so viruses can easily invade. In other words, again, it is germs and not temperature.

Comments

This article explores if cold weather causes colds. It takes on the common myth, yet myth busts it, arguing how cold weather is correlated to colds but doesn't cause. The article uses reliable facts and correlates them, such as how lower Vitamin D can lead to less production and thus more influenza. However, these facts are not fully trustworthy since they come from "research" and no specific reputable source to be fact checked. The article is more focused on symptoms and preventions towards sickness than the actual myth itself, so it is not well written. This article should not be deemed as reputable.

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Well said, I think that always looking into if there is causation or correlation on an issue is a very important trait to look at. I do wonder what other articles said on this question, as well as how trustworthy this source really is. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to look into what else they have claimed on other articles of theirs.

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I think this article isn't the most reliable but its content remains viable and truthful. This article from the mayo clinic would've added sense of credibility to you claim; https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/1-16mayo-clinic-minute-can-cold-weather-cause-a-cold/
I think the main reason we all get sick around this time is because of our proximity to the virus, being indoors most of the time. Prior to reading the article, I wouldn't have guessed humidity is a factor of sickness, but now I understand why a steamy shower can clear my airways temporarily while I'm sick!

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I think the main reason we all get sick around this time is because of our proximity to the virus, spending more time indoors. Before reading the article, I wouldn't have guessed humidity plays a role, but now I understand why a steamy shower can offer temporary relief. The paper delves into the common myth that cold weather causes colds, offering a more nuanced perspective. While it correctly points out a correlation between cold weather and increased illness, it doesn't definitively prove causation. The article cites lower Vitamin D levels as a potential factor, but lacks specific, reputable sources to fully support this claim. Ultimately, the article focuses more on symptoms and prevention than the core myth, making it less effective in addressing the topic. Therefore, it may not be considered a reliable source of information.

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I believe that the article listed in this claim is not the most reliable of sources, though the content within it is still truthful. While the article points out the relation between colder weather and increased illness, it fails to provide sound evidence towards causation. Instead focusing largely on symptoms and prevention options, rather than the core topic, thus making the claims and arguments made within much less effective. According to the Mayo Clinic, "The cold weather itself doesn't cause the common cold... the chances of spreading a respiratory virus go up because more time is spent indoors." Therefore, it is not the cold weather that is directly causing an uptick in viral infections, it is the fact that more people are indoors more often than when the weather is warm. This article did what the one linked in this claim could not, and provided more reasoning behind why there is typically an increase in illness during the winter months.

source:
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/1-16mayo-clinic-minute-can-cold-weather-cause-a-cold/

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Hello! I love the fact check because I always feel strongly about this topic. I agree fully with you that germs are the cause of sickness, not the cold. With that being said, your source of this information is not a great source. Using a .com source is not a reliable website. Next time, try to find a .org or .gov. This could help your findings seem more credible. Great job overall!

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I really like this fact check. i like that you analyzed this in your own words and then added the link so people can do further research on their own. i'm glad that you clarified that germs get you sick, not the weather itself.

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This fact check distinguished a correlation myth of cold weather and catching the cold. The article utilized a primary source of a research article titled as : Quantifying the role of weather on seasonal influenza. This research article backs up the claims made in the post and in the article used. Utilizing credible sources from platforms like Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this article's claim can be testified.

https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-3114-x

Answer 1

This article explores if cold weather may cause colds. It takes on the common myth, yet myth busts it, arguing how cold weather is correlated to colds but doesn't cause colds. The article uses reliable facts and correlates them, such as how lower Vitamin D can lead to less production. However, these facts are not fully trustworthy since they come from "research" and no specific reputable source to be fact checked. The article is more focused on symptoms and preventions towards sickness than the actual myth itself, so it is not well written. This article should not be deemed as reputable.

Comments

While I agree with the overall claim, you also state the facts are not "trustworthy" in this article. what other sources would you use then to further make your claim reliable?

Answer 2

It is a myth, but almost everyone thinks that cold temperatures can make people sick. Although it seems like colds and the flu are more widespread in the winter, you don't mind the cold. Rather, staying indoors with other people and having low humidity facilitates the spread of diseases. Viruses can easily infiltrate your nose because dry air dries out its membranes. That is, once more, bacteria, not temperature, are the problem.

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/1-16mayo-clinic-minute-can-cold-weather-cause-a-cold/

Answer 3

"Cold weather itself will make you sick" is a seemingly widely debated topic. Many people have been told to stay out of the cold if you dont't want to get sick, often times by elders. This website https://www.verywellhealth.com/do-you-get-sick-from-the-cold-8709721#:~:text=A%20common%20misconception%20is%20that,infections%20in%20the%20colder%20months tackles this notion. Within the article, which we can initially deem to be credible considering it was written by a licensed professional, and posted on a reputable website, VeryWellHealth. The article states that the cold giving you sickness is a common misconception. The reality is that colder enviornments often create better opportunities for germs and bacteria to spread, leading to more sickness, but the coldness itself does not cause the sickness. This information can also be tracked to other sources, such as here https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/12/17/can-the-cold-really-make-you-sick, and here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/734/.

Answer 4

This statement is true, but not entirely accurate. Cold itself does not cause illness, but it create conditions that weaken the body's defenses and promote the spread of viruses. Taking preventive measures can help reduce the risk of getting sick in the winter. The article "Can Winter Make You Sick?" from Northwestern Medicine discusses how cold weather increase the risk of contracting common colds, the flu, and COVID-19, among other illnesses. The article explains that exposure to cold air can lower the body's ability to fight off viruses because the nose and upper respiratory tract's ability to block infections is weakened. However, the article also acknowledges certain aspects of the statement. It notes that dry winter air is conducive to the spread of viruses. Indoor heating often result in lower humidity levels, which can make the nose dry and reduce its ability to capture and eliminate pathogens. Additionally, viruses can remain in the air for longer periods in dry environments, increasing the likelihood of transmission. 

https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/can-winter-make-you-sick#:~:text=Cold%20weather%20may%20not%20be,more%20easily%20in%20the%20winter

Answer 5

Cold weather does not make you sick. It does make it easier for viruses and bacteria to spread. Cold weather can make immune cells less effective, making it easier for viruses to spread, but does not make you sick. Breathing in cold air makes it less effective for your immune defensives to allow germs to get in easier (Rajendram). Dry air is a main cause of how sicknesses develop, which relates to intaking cold air.

https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/12/17/can-the-cold-really-make-you-sick

https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/can-winter-make-you-sick

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/734/

Answer 6

The VeryWell Health article doesn't side with the concept of "cold makes you sick" instead, it provides further context as to why many people would believe so. The main cause of it all is the increase in flu, but this doesn't mean the cold causes the illnesses. The article further bunks these misconceptions and provides further information on how to boost immunity. Based on further research, though, the website is a news site that has provided health information from health professionals for the sake of wellness being. This article specifically was written by Patty Weasler, who's a registered nurse with over a decade of experience, which was later reviewed by Jane Kim, who's board certified in Internal Medicine and also consults for physical medical education, so the article can be trustworthy for readers. If we'd like further proof, though, other news articles tend to say the same. For example, Heart's article, which is the American Heart Association, known for being the nation's largest and voluntary association, claims the same ideas. According to their article, "Viruses may survive and reproduce more easily in the cold, dry air of winter." further backing up the claims. So overall, we can assume that the claim "cold weather makes you sick" is not true.

sources: Verywell Health Article

Heart Article

Comments

This fact check distinguished a correlation myth of cold weather and catching the cold. The article utilized a primary source of a research article titled as : Quantifying the role of weather on seasonal influenza. This research article backs up the claims made in the post and in the article used. Utilizing credible sources from platforms like Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this article's claim can be testified. 

https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-3114-x

Answer 7

This fact check distinguished a correlation myth of cold weather and catching the cold. The article utilized a primary source of a research article titled as : Quantifying the role of weather on seasonal influenza. This research article backs up the claims made in the post and in the article used. Utilizing credible sources from platforms like Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this article's claim can be testified. 

https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-3114-x

Answer 8

“Cold weather itself makes you sick” is a myth.  According to the definition of National Institutes of Health, “The common cold, also known as upper respiratory tract infection (URI), is an acute, self-limited viral infection of the upper airway.”  In other words, people get sick from the virus, not being cold. The reason why many people believe that cold weather itself makes them sick is the virus predominates during winter months. NIH says, “The colds we catch in winter are usually triggered by the most common viral infections in humans, a group of germs called rhinoviruses. Rhinoviruses and a few other cold-causing viruses seem to survive best in cooler weather.” Additionally, they show that “Severe chilling has been observed in human experiments to suppress several cellular and humoral components of the immune response.” Plus, Dr. Michael says, “We’re more likely to be in close quarters this time of year, close together among those who are already sick.” In summary, cold weather does not itself makes you sick though it is indirectly related to some factors.

source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7152197/

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/06/catching-cold-when-it-s-warm

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00705-017-3334-0

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/well/can-being-cold-make-you-sick.html

Answer 9

“Cold weather itself makes you sick” is a myth.  According to the definition of National Institutes of Health, “The common cold, also known as upper respiratory tract infection (URI), is an acute, self-limited viral infection of the upper airway.”  In other words, people get sick from the virus, not being cold. The reason why many people believe that cold weather itself makes them sick is the virus predominates during winter months. NIH says, “The colds we catch in winter are usually triggered by the most common viral infections in humans, a group of germs called rhinoviruses. Rhinoviruses and a few other cold-causing viruses seem to survive best in cooler weather.” Additionally, they show that “Severe chilling has been observed in human experiments to suppress several cellular and humoral components of the immune response.” Plus, Dr. Michael says, “We’re more likely to be in close quarters this time of year, close together among those who are already sick.” In summary, cold weather does not itself makes you sick though it is indirectly related to some factors.

source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7152197/

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/06/catching-cold-when-it-s-warm

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00705-017-3334-0

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/well/can-being-cold-make-you-sick.html

Answer 10

"Cold weather itself makes you sick" is a myth. According to the definition of National Institution of Health (NIH), "The common cold, also known as upper respiratory tract infection (URI), is an acute, self-limited viral infection of the upper airway." In other words, people get sick from the virus, not being cold. The reason why many people believe that cold weather itself makes them sick is the virus predominates during winter months. NIH says, "The colds we catch in winter are usually triggered by the most common viral infections in humans, a group of germs called rhinoviruses. Rhinoviruses and a few other cold-causing viruses seem to survive best in cooler weather." Additionally, they show that "Severe chilling has been observed in human experiments to suppress several cellular and humoral components of the immune response." Plus, Dr. Michael states that "We're most likely to be in close quarters this time of year, close together among those who are already sick." In summary, cold weather does not itself make you sick though it is indirectly related to some factors.

source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7152197/

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/06/catching-cold-when-it-s-warm

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00705-017-3334-0

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/well/can-being-cold-make-you-sick.html