Is this a myth about COLDS/FLU'S? - DH&I were debating this, whattca think?

CAMSMOM1 wrote: Everytime Cam gets a cold, DH's Grandma (who takes care of him for me while I'm working) blames it on the weather!

So the last time I took Cam to the doctors, I asked her if this is true. She said NO, it's a MYTH. You don't get sick because of the temperature outside, you get it from a Virus. More people catch colds during the winter because their immunity system is down, but it's not because the weather gave them a cold, they have to either breath in the virus, or come in contact with some who has a cold. Makes sense right? Since we know that colds are virus, just like the flu is.

But DH disagrees. This debate stemmed from me wearing my sandals all the time, during the winter. He says I'm going to catch a cold because I don't wear shoes. Well my feet don't get cold, and I'm not sick.

So please help us with this. He is being stubborn, and so am I!

My2Beauties replied: I have to say I agree with you, that is a myth, it's easier to get a cold in the winter or when the weather is changing a lot because your immune system is down. Tell your DH to take it from a doctor not his grandma!

5littleladies replied: My doctors have always told me it's a myth too. And honestly, if you think about it, what logic is there in getting sick from being cold? None that I can come up with. But I will say that I often get a cold when winter changes into spring. I heart an explination for that once but I don't remember what it was.

moped replied: You don't get sick from weather - it is a virus and in the winter there are more of them because it is cold and there are more people indoors - I jsut heard this ont he news the other night!

kayla's mama replied: I have to agree with you to, Ann. My dad is always on to me about not wearing socks around the house and when I do get sick he says....see told you, you should've wore your socks

MamaJAM replied: Cold are definately viruses. Getting one has nothing to do with the weather/temperature. Though going in cold air when you have a cold does make you cough more because mucus 'thickens' when cold.

Our Lil' Family replied: Colds are due to viruses....they diminish in the warmer months because they survive better in colder weather.

EvesMom replied: The weather can play a factor in getting a cold/flu. If your body temperature lowers (not dressing properly maybe, extended time in cold weather) it slows your immune system. If this happens and you come in contact with a germ you can be at risk for getting sick. But this can happen in 90 degree weather as well. Getting caught in a rain storm ( every drop of water that touches your skin can cools your body) can do it too. But the weather itself can't make you sick, there has to be a virus/germ present to get you sick.

C&K*s Mommie replied: IMO you are both right. For him: Dressing improperly when you are not used to the cold weather (like runners wearing shorts who have trained their bodies) and staying dressed improperly can contribute to sickness. But I do not believe it has a direct effect on it. For you: Wearing sandals will not cause you to catch a cold. I have yet to get sick from not wearing shoes at all, even after walking around outside and in, while the weather is freezing outside.

I also believe that colds are more likely in the winter, because of the dry air in heated homes. And the viruses traveling freely in the heated (dry) home, and the sinuses being dried up more so in the winter. But I could be wrong in thinking that way.

CAMSMOM1 replied: I can't wait to show Justin this post!!! I love being right! So far we all agree that the only effect cold weather has is lower your immune system down, but besides that, it doesn't play a factor. (you have a good point Nicole, with everyone being inside with the dry heated air.)

Now if I could only convince DH's Grandma of this! She is so old fashioned, and doesn't believe me with this type of thing. I tell her that's why I always wash my hands before I touch Cameron when I pick him up, cause I was with a million kids at work, and she thinks THAT'S crazy!

MamaJAM replied:
Don't even try changing her mind...it's not worth it. My DH's grandmother still thinks you get hemorhoids from sitting on concrete.

redchief replied: There is a winter factor that makes catching colds and flu (and any contagian for that matter) easier in the winter, but it doesn't have to do with the weather, other than the weather drives us inside. Along with that is that schools are back in session and we all tend to be closer together. Cold and flu viruses pass via shared body fluids (doesn't that sound yummy?). We leave them all over the place; on the kitchen countertop, in the bathroom, in the washroom at work and school, in cars and buses.

There are some studies that claim that internal body temperature may be a touch lower in the winter thereby allowing the viruses to better flourish, but we're talking about fractions of a degree here and the studies aren't definitive. So, indeed the weather does contribute to our sharing of those nasty little mutated viruses, but it's not the cold itself that causes the spreading of germs.

All of the docs and infection control people I talk to say the best way to avoid colds is to wash your hands frequently with anti-bacterial soap and warm water, and frequently clean your home surfaces with anti-bacterial cleaners. Encourage your school administration to have the janitorial staff clean each bathroom during the course of the day too, and tell your kids to be sure and wash with soap and water often.

jcc64 replied: ITA with everything Ed said, and want to add that my brother's kids in SW Fla. get all the same viruses and colds in the same quantities that we get where the winters are harsher.

CAMSMOM1 replied: Of course I agree with all of you, but...Justin gave me this scenerio last night, "If you were outside in the freezing cold, without any clothes on, you can't tell me you wouldn't get sick."

So whattcha think of that? Doesn't that go hand in hand with the lower body temperature theory? But you aren't exposed to a virus then? I just want to make sure I can prove this statement wrong.

redchief replied:
Sick? Sure... maybe even dead. But that's called hypothermia and it's not quite the same thing. Now hypothermia can lower the body's immune response to viruses, but that's not always true and the immune system bounces back pretty quickly. You still have to be exposed to the virus to "catch" a cold.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
You mean I won't????




jk!

You can walk around buck naked outside and not catch a cold - if the cold virus isn't outside.

Here's one for you - onions in socks. Will it make your fever break?

luvmykids replied: My mom used to nag me about running around with a wet head, saying I'd catch a cold. Guess what, I still do it and haven't really been sick for quite some time. I only get sick when the kids are passing something around.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Myth...one my grandmother says too!!! She's always telling me to put socks on! Or never to go out with wet hair!!

I think if you're sick already, it's not a good idea to go out in the cold, but the cold weather doesn't cause it.

jcc64 replied: My granny told me it was especially important not to go around in bare feet during af.

redchief replied:
I'm almost afraid to ask what her reason might have been for that.

EvesMom replied: Myth: Spending time outside in cold weather can cause a cold or flu.

Fact: Exposure to cold weather does not bring on a cold or flu. It can, however, cause pneumonia, which can come about when someone already has the flu. This is the most serious complication of the flu and is more likely to occur in the elderly and people whose immune systems have been weakened by other medical conditions.

Show the DH this site of the facts and myths of cold/flu.
http://www.everybody.co.nz/page-c44dea63-f...0a59e86306.aspx