Does cold weather cause a cold?
A cold is an illness caused by certain viruses. The risk of catching a cold is higher in people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, and in the elderly due to a weakening immune system with age.
While wearing protective clothing to shield oneself from the winter cold is important for health and preventing cold-related illnesses like hypothermia, it does not cause a cold, runny nose, or even the flu.
The reason for the increased incidence of colds in winter is due to people’s behavior. During winter, people spend more time indoors, such as at home, and in close proximity to one another, which increases the opportunity for cold viruses to spread from person to person, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the United States.
The institute also points out that cold, humid weather can create a more favorable environment for cold viruses.
Furthermore, cold weather can dry out the lining of your nose, making it more susceptible to viral entry.
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