Ditch the Myth: The Real Reason You Catch Colds Has Nothing to Do with Weather

Focus Keyword: Colds Are Caused by Viruses Not the Weather

Every winter, the same advice makes the rounds: “Don’t go outside with wet hair,” “Bundle up, or you’ll catch a cold.” It’s comforting, familiar, and completely wrong. Colds are caused by viruses — not by being cold, wet, or underdressed.

The Truth: Cold Air Isn’t the Culprit

The common cold comes from viral infections — mostly rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and adenoviruses. These germs spread when someone who’s infected coughs, sneezes, or touches shared surfaces. Temperature alone can’t infect you. You can shiver in a snowstorm and stay perfectly healthy if you haven’t been exposed to a virus.

Why We Get More Colds in Winter

Colds spike in the winter not because the air is cold, but because we change our behavior. When it’s chilly, we huddle indoors with the windows closed, sharing the same dry air. That’s the perfect setup for viruses to pass from one person to another.

There’s also a small physiological factor: research shows that cold, dry air may slightly weaken the nasal lining’s ability to block viruses. But even then — no virus, no cold. The weather might open the door a little wider, but the intruder still has to show up.

Debunking “Mom Wisdom”

Generations of parents warned their kids about the dangers of going out with damp hair or forgetting a hat. It came from love, not science. Before we understood viruses, it made sense to link the feeling of being cold with getting sick. Today, we know better — yet the myth lingers because it feels intuitive and nostalgic.

But evidence consistently proves otherwise. In one review of upper respiratory tract infections, temperature wasn’t a meaningful risk factor for catching colds. Close contact with infected individuals, however, was. The difference between “chilled” and “infected” is microscopic — and viral.

What Actually Keeps You Healthy

The smartest way to prevent colds has nothing to do with bundling up. Instead, focus on these proven strategies:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your nose and eyes.
• Stay active, eat balanced meals, and sleep enough to support your immune system.
• Use a humidifier indoors during dry months.
• Keep some distance from people who are visibly ill.

These steps target the real cause — viral transmission — not the temperature outside.

Does Cold Affect Immunity?

Short-term cold exposure can slightly reduce nasal immunity, but that effect is brief and minor. Interestingly, moderate cold exposure might even strengthen immune response over time by improving circulation and adaptive stress tolerance. So while comfort matters, it’s not your coat that keeps you healthy — it’s your habits.

Science Over Superstition

It’s easy to cling to old beliefs, especially when they come wrapped in family care. But science invites us to upgrade what we know. Being cold doesn’t make you sick — catching a virus does. Keeping this distinction clear helps you focus on what really matters for your health: preventing exposure, supporting immunity, and maintaining balance year-round.

Curious about another common misconception? Read Ditch the Myth: The Flu Vaccine Gave Me the Flu to see how science debunks another widespread belief about seasonal illness.

The Takeaway

The next time someone warns you that you’ll “catch a cold” from the weather, smile and share the truth: the real reason you catch colds has nothing to do with weather. Staying warm is about comfort — not protection from viruses.

Stay informed, stay healthy, and let’s finally ditch this myth for good.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — About the Common Cold.

2. Moriyama M, Hugentobler WJ, Iwasaki A. Seasonality of Respiratory Viral Infections. Annual Review of Virology. 2020;7:83–101.

3. Neumann G, et al. Seasonality of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses. Viruses. 2022;14(4):738.

4. NCBI Bookshelf — Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (StatPearls, 2024).