Can Cold Weather Actually Make You Sick?

You Should Know: “Wear a coat, or you’ll get sick!” We probably all heard this from a parent or grandparent when we were kids. It’s a longstanding belief that you’ll catch a cold from being cold. Still, wintertime is primetime for viruses, so could there be any truth to it? 

Going Deeper: It’s true: Cold, flu, and other respiratory viruses are more prevalent in the cold. But these viruses spread through respiratory droplets from our coughs and sneezes, not from chilly temps. Winter air is more dry, which makes respiratory droplets smaller and more spreadable and viruses longer-lasting. Cold weather also reduces blood flow, which slows immune response.

Takeaway: Our wintertime habits also make us more susceptible to illness than in warmer months. Homes, schools, and workplaces don’t get as much ventilation. We spend more time indoors — the human version of hibernation — so we’re in closer contact with sick people. Less time outside decreases levels of vitamin D, which is linked to immune function.

Bottom Line: Cold weather won’t make you sick, but it does create conditions for viruses to thrive. To thwart this, get outside more, air out your home sometimes, and use a humidifier (we like this one from Levoit).