Does being cold give you a cold?

[BlancoNino]

So which is right?

 

[oynaz]

The cold is caused by a virus, so being cold does definitely not give you a cold directly. The cold does not exist in Greenland, btw. Its too cold for the cold there.

 

[JulesMaximus]

No, the common cold is a virus. Being cold does not give you a cold but being couped up in close proximity to others (as many people do during the winter when it's cold out) with the virus definitely increases your chances of contracting the virus. Also, being cold (severely cold) will weaken your body and decrease its ability to fight off a virus.

 

[Crono]

Colds are caused by viruses, and not exposure to cold weather. There was a recent study, however, that showed that breathing in cold air does make you more likely to become sick from the cold virus. That's why it's imperative to cover your nose and mouth when out in extremely cold weather.

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: oynaz
The cold is caused by a virus, so being cold does definitely not give you a cold directly. The cold does not exist in Greenland, btw. Its too cold for the cold there.

What do people from Greenland call themselves? Greenlandians? I've always wondered...also, props to your country for looking really big on flat world maps.

 

[ntdz]

Only indirectly.

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: ntdz
Only indirectly.

I think you're right. Cold weather causes people to huddle indoors more often and it can cause your nose to run (runny nose does not mean you have a cold) which means you are whiping it with your hand more often, which can increase transmission.