"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

I agree with this claim. The evidence and source you provided do a great job explaining how this misconception is linked to changes in our behavior during colder months—people spend more time indoors near others, which makes it easier for infections to spread. Since your source is medically reviewed, it adds even more credibility to your argument. Overall, it's a strong claim with solid support!

---

This fact check clears up the myth that cold weather directly causes colds. The article references a key research study called Quantifying the Role of Weather on Seasonal Influenza, which supports the claims made in the post. The study shows that while cold weather can influence how respiratory viruses spread, it doesn't cause colds. With credible sources like the CDC backing up the information, the article’s points are well-supported by solid evidence.

---

Cold weather doesn't directly cause sickness, but it creates conditions like dry air and indoor crowding that help germs spread more easily. The real cause is exposure to viruses.

---

This statement is false. The article did a good job of breaking down the myth that people can get sick from just cold weather. It had reputable sources listed like the CDC. It gave logical explanations about the real reason people seem to get more sick in the wintertime, like the amount of time spend inside and close to other people. There are also many articles agreeing with this claim.

---

Group 6: Although more people do get sick while it is cold outside the cold weather itself does not make people get sick. However, it is a factor because it can weaken your immune system. It can also dry out your nasal passages which can make it more difficult for your body to filter out infection. Overall in the cold weather your body is not as effective at fighting off germs and sickness. The actual colder weather itself is not what is making you sick. It is your weakened immune system during the winter.
Sources:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/common-cold
https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/can-winter-make-you-sick

Answer 1

While many people get sick during the colder season, cold weather alone doesn't get you sick. Cold and dry weather does allow viruses to stay alive and reproduce more quickly and causes immune cells to work less effectively. If we were to say that cold weather makes it easier to get sick, then we can say the claim is true but cold weather alone doesn't cause sickness but rather it helps viruses and bacteria spread faster.

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

Answer 2

The claim is entirely false in itself as sickness is not caused by cold weather. But by viruses and bacteria as cited in the linked article - 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/do-you-get-sick-from-the-cold8709721#:~:text=A%20common%20misconception%20is%20that,infections%20in%20the%20colder%20months. - This is all to say it's an old myth that has been used for ages. In saying so we can easily find the true cause through researching any Health site.

Answer 3

This article was written in the past month, by Patty Weasler who is a Nurse and Health Writer, and has valid cited sources. However, your claim does not match the claim in this article. Verywellhealth states that a common misconception is that cold weather causes illness. In reality, it's germs like bacteria and viruses that cause infections. This article says that yes, the cooler months are related to an increase in illness because respiratory droplets move farther and stay longer in the air, dryness weakens the body's ability to defend against germs, indoor gatherings increase contact with germs, and people have lower vitamin D. 

Answer 4

This claim states that just being in cold weather can make you sick. The source provided answers to the claim itself, saying that it is a common misconception and stating a few reasons why. To be sure, I looked at another source from Northwestern Medicine and upon reading the article I was surprised to see a quote saying "Wearing layers during the winter can help prevent physiological conditions that can make you more susceptible to contracting viruses," says Dr. Rajendram. Overall, it seems like going outside when its cold is not going to immediately make you sick every time, but it's best to bundle up and not spend too much time in the cold when you are already sick. 

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

Answer 5

This claim is misleading and exaggerated because the article debunks the myth that cold weather is the sole cause of illnesses such as the common cold. It explains that it can be a catalyst for a cold, but does not cause it on its own. The main purpose of the article is explaining symptoms and preventions of common colds rather than saying that cold weather causes common colds.

Answer 6

The claim that cold weather makes you sick is false. There is more correlation than causation, meaning that cold weather is correlated with sickness but does not directly cause sickness. Northwestern Medicine published an article that depicted this myth. That article states that people are more prone to sickness as the temperature drops, but this is rather due to being indoors and being in dry air. People tend to stay indoors to avoid the cold, which means being in closer proximity to other people. Not only that, but it lacks exposure to the sun, which can weaken immune systems. Dry winter air and heating inside the house can also dry up your nasal passages. That would cause your nose to be less effective in fighting off viruses as well.

https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/can-winter-make-you-sick#:~:text=Low%20temperatures%20can%20increase%20the,more%20easily%20in%20the%20winter.

Comments

I liked your analysis here. The phrase 'correlation rather than causation' really helped make a strong case. It suggests that while cold weather can play a role in sickness, it doesn't necessarily cause it. I also liked how you included the source from Northwestern Medicine, as they are pretty reputable. They offer another point: dry, indoor environments in cold weather can contribute to the drying of nasal passages, making them more at risk of infection due to close proximity.

Answer 7

"Cold weather itself makes you sick?" I grew up in a culture where I believed that going outside at night while your hair is wet can get you sick or cutting your nails on a Friday night is bad luck. If I were told that going outside when cold can get you sick, I would believe it. As the seasons change and when it starts to become fall and winter, temperatures drop. So that makes people stay inside which leads people to stay inside and that increases the spread of germs. So basically NO, I don't think that the cold weather itself makes individuals sick. The link below gives deeper information on this topic.

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

Answer 8

This article was written by a registered nurse of something like 10+ years who is also a health writer, which I figure I can trust reliably. The misconception surrounds the idea that the literal coldness of winter causes people to become ill which has some truth to it, but also doesn't. The article explains that the dryness of the winter seasons lowers the bodys defense, for example the mucus in your nose helps keep germs out, and when it is dry out it causes that mucus to dry out as well. Also, the cold temperatures causes people to spend more time indoors where germs are more able to spread due to small, enclosed spaces. However, the facts given by the source aren't really shown to have come from anywhere which makes me question the reliability of the article. it seems like the point is more likely to urge people to wash their hands and sneeze in their elbows than falsify the claim that the cold causes colds. I would say that there aren't enough reliable sources to prove this true or false because it's based on common sense not research.

Answer 9

Your point is accurate as temperature is not one of the main causes for gaining an illness. While being really cold can weaken your immune system, it is germs that causes illnesses.

https://www.unitypoint.org/news-and-articles/do-you-really-get-sick-from-being-cold#:~:text=%E2%80%9CCan%20you%20get%20sick%20from,and%2For%20the%20flu.%E2%80%9D

Answer 10

Based on my research, the idea that cold weather directly makes you sick is not entirely accurately. Cold weather itself doesn't actually cause illness, but it can create conditions that make getting sick more likely. For instance, viruses like those causing the common cold may survive better in colder temperatures. Additionally, cold air can weaken the immune response in our nasal passages, making us more susceptible to infections. Spending more time indoors during winter also increases our exposure to viruses, as we're in closer contact with others. However, it is important to note that viruses, not the cold itself, causes illness.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-does-cold-weather-affect-your-health

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/scientists-finally-figure-out-why-youre-more-likely-to-get-sick-in-cold-weather

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323431