The Most Common Cold Weather Myths and the Truth About Them

Over the years, you've probably heard certain warnings about cold weather from well-meaning relatives like your parents or grandparents. Maybe you've heard that going outside in the winter will give you a cold, or that you lose 50% of your body's heat through your head.

But how accurate are these kinds of advice? The truth is that there are many myths about cold weather, and that a lot of what people "know" about how our bodies react to the cold isn't right.

Here are some of the most common misconceptions about cold weather, along with the reality.

Myth #1 - Exposure to the cold is a cause of the common cold or the flu

One of the most persistent beliefs is that illnesses like the common cold or the flu are caused by being out in the cold. But does cold weather make you sick? Not really.

Illnesses like the common cold, flu and pneumonia are caused by either viruses or bacteria and are usually transmitted from other people. Being out in the cold won't cause any of them.

So why does it seem like people are sick more during the winter months? There are a combination of reasons that go into it. First of all, school is in session during the winter and everyone is also staying indoors more. This causes more people to be in contact with each other, spreading viral and bacterial illnesses.

There's also a grain of truth to the idea that colder weather causes more illness. Colder weather tends to be drier, and many viruses survive better in drier environments. And the cold can suppress the immune system a little, making you more vulnerable to viruses.

Myth #2 - You lose most of your body heat through the head