aAs soon as the temperature drops, we all start worrying about the same things. It’s about not getting sick, or at least not getting sick as often this year. The never-ending winter cycle of getting sick, getting better, and getting sick again can be exhausting, and avoiding colds and other viruses is a top priority during the cold season.
But while there are real, science-backed ways to stay as healthy as possible, centers say they practice good hand hygiene, stay up-to-date on all immunizations, and get enough vaccinations. It is said that getting sleep is essential. When it comes to disease management and prevention, there’s also a lot of very dangerous advice that’s spreading as fast as a nasty virus.
Below, we’ll discuss some winter health myths you’ve probably heard but should be taken with a grain of salt, as well as some effective ways to avoid colds, flu, and other viruses this year. I will explain the strategy.
6 winter health myths that aren’t actually true
Does the cold really make you feel worse? Can wearing warm things protect you from catching a virus? We’re here to debunk common beliefs about what can (or can’t) cause illness during the winter months. We spoke to four specialist doctors.
Myth #1: Cold weather makes you feel sick.
You are more likely to contract a virus in winter, but the temperature itself is not the culprit. “Bacteria are what make people sick, not the cold,” says Dr. Heather Viola, an internist at Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West. She explains that to catch a cold, you need to come into contact with a rhinovirus (aka the most common cause of colds), and to get the flu, you need to come into contact with the influenza virus. But being indoors more during the winter also means being closer to others. Therefore, if they are sick, you are more likely to catch their disease too. Dr. Viola added that lower humidity in the winter dries out the nasal passages, making it easier for viruses to enter the body.
What to do instead: Spending time with loved ones is important, but practicing good hygiene, avoiding sick people, and cleaning surfaces in your home frequently can help prevent illnesses like the common cold, according to the Mayo Clinic. You can minimize your chances of getting infected with a virus. “It’s also important to wash your hands regularly, wear a mask if you’re sick, and stay home if you’re sick,” says Dr. McConnell, a family physician in Fort Collins, Colorado, and director of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). .
Myth #2: Going out with wet hair will make you catch a cold.
Speaking of cold temperatures, you may have heard that going outside with wet hair on a cold day increases your risk of catching a virus. Dr. Brühl explains that this isn’t exactly true because viruses like the common cold are spread through body fluids, such as sneezes and coughs. Hair has nothing to do with the infectious process.
What to do instead: For example, if you have to rush outside to get the mail while your hair is still wet, you probably don’t have to worry about getting sick. However, maintaining a comfortable body temperature is still important, and dry hair can help keep you warm. “While wet hair doesn’t directly cause a cold, it’s important to remember the importance of staying warm and dry when outdoors in winter to reduce the risk of hypothermia (a condition that occurs when your body temperature drops too low). ” says Dr. Brühl.
Myth #3: Wearing warm clothes will prevent you from getting sick.
Wearing warm clothes alone cannot prevent the spread of the virus. “Even if it’s cold, it’s no more likely to make you sick than going outside with wet hair,” Dr. Viola says. But again, it may help prevent hypothermia, according to the CDC. “When our body temperature drops, we use stored energy to stay warm,” explains Dr. Brull. “But when your energy stores run low, you can develop hypothermia.”
What to do instead: Staying warm, including wearing weather-appropriate clothing, can help reduce your chances of developing hypothermia. Dr. Neil Patel, a family medicine specialist at Providence St. It is said that it plays an important role. Joseph Hospital of Orange County. It also doesn’t hurt to wear heated gloves when you’re outside on a snowy day or invest in a cozy throw blanket for chilly nights.
Myth #4: Taking vitamin C supplements can help prevent disease.
Our experts say there’s a lot of misinformation out there about vitamin C supplements and the immune system. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and can help support your immune system, but Dr. Brull explains that taking supplements containing vitamin C won’t necessarily prevent disease. However, some evidence suggests that taking vitamin C may slightly shorten the duration of a cold.
What to do instead: It’s wise to fill up on vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, red peppers, broccoli, and spinach. “Vitamin C may not be the only thing that will keep you from spending the day on the couch feeling sick and stuffy, but getting enough vitamin C from foods like berries and vegetables can help your immune system. “It helps the body work,” says Dr. Brühl says:
Myth #5: Drinking hot drinks helps prevent colds.
Unfortunately, drinking hot tea or soup on a winter day does not reduce your chances of contracting the virus. “Warm liquids do not prevent disease,” says Dr. Viola. “They help keep you warm, but they don’t reduce your chances of catching a cold.”
What to do instead: Drink it up. WAM liquid has many other benefits. In addition to hydrating you, it can also soothe your throat, says Dr. Viola. The ingredients in these warm liquids support your overall health in other ways as well. For example, chicken soup is a good source of protein, and tea may contain healthy antioxidants like lemon and ginger.
Myth #6: Exercising outside will make you sick.
Again, you should be careful not to cool yourself too much when outdoors in winter to prevent hypothermia. But as long as you’re comfortable, there’s no reason not to exercise in cold weather. There are still plenty of options for exercise even when temperatures drop, including running, walking, skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.
What to do instead: There are countless reasons to keep up your exercise routine during the winter months, and in fact, experts say you don’t even necessarily need to stop exercising if you have a mild cold. “Exercise actually strengthens your immune system,” says Dr. Joshua Quinones, a board-certified internist at Manhattan Medical School. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s safe for most people to exercise if they have respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose or sore throat, but if they have a fever or muscle aches, they should rest.
conclusion
Unfortunately, it’s probably impossible to completely avoid getting sick in the winter, and in fact, it’s somewhat rare if you do. According to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, most adults get colds two to four times a year. Still, it never hurts to take steps to prevent illness. While most of these winter health myths aren’t necessarily bad (for example, going outside with wet hair probably won’t feel very good), if you’re going to try to avoid getting sick, here’s what you should do It would be better to concentrate on About strategies that really make a difference. That means washing your hands often, getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods so your body is ready to fight germs, avoiding contact with others when you’re sick, and staying up to date with your vaccinations. This means (flu shots are a must!). .
