There is a deep-rooted belief that being cold increases the spread of viruses and colds. Various health professionals denied or confirmed to EL DÍNAMO the five most common myths about the cold.
The arrival of low temperatures and rain is, for many people,synonymous with cold, cold and respiratory viruses.
In that sense, There are a series of myths about winter and the increase in seasonal diseases, such as that allergies disappear during these months, that the cold causes colds or that vitamin C prevents flu states.
Along with this, there is a deep-rooted belief in the majority of parents, which ensures that Being cold increases the spread of viruses and colds.
But, Does this statement have any scientific validity? In conversation with THE DYNAMOvarious health professionals, denied or confirmed the five most common myths about the cold.
Does the cold make you sick?
“Low temperatures can be associated with a greater risk of respiratory infections and That’s multifactorial.l”, indicated Roberto Olivares, head of infectious disease at Clínica Dávila.
Likewise, he explained that “The cold means that people lock themselves up, stay in their homes and therefore increase the possibility of contact of sick people with non-infected people and that increases the risk of infection. Basically, What the cold does is increase the number of people and overcrowding in the houses or closed places then and that increases the risk of transmission of these viruses.”
Meanwhile, Lorena Ferreira, a surgeon and clinical immunologist, clarified through her social networks that “It is not the cold that makes you sick, without a doubt the viruses are what make you sick.”but when the temperature drops you get sicker.”
In a video on her Instagram account, the professional commented that “it is absolutely clear that What makes us sick are viruses and bacteria. However, Does it matter if I’m cold? “Does my body temperature drop? Does the temperature of my nose and pharynx drop due to breathing cold air?”
“It is not the same to be cold or to breathe cold air because it affects the effectiveness of the immune system in several ways. This is because it qualitatively and quantitatively reduces its actions, which is published in multiple scientific articles. Cold air drastically lowers the function of the immune system in our respiratory mucosa. Although the cold does not make us sick, it does help us get sick since our defenses lower,” he stated.
Debunking myths
Pamela Varas, director of the Nursing program at the Andrés Bello University, Viña del Mar Campus, explained some common beliefs among the population when it is cold.
You shouldn’t exercise in the cold
“Regarding exercising in cold conditions, the truth is that it is not harmful, quite the opposite. When we exercise in a season that is colder, We activate our body more to produce heat, the production of endorphins is also stimulated.“said Pamela Varas.
Allergies disappear in winter
“Allergies don’t go away in winter. People who are allergic to pollen will obviously have acute episodes during the spring season, but people who, for example, are allergic to animal dander, cats, dogs or other allergens, will have these allergic episodes in any time of the year,” said Varas.
“What’s more, allergic people are more at risk, in terms of respiratory diseases, so they clearly should take more precautions during the winter season,” he added.
I don’t need sunscreen in winter
“Solar radiation emissions They are stable in winter, summer and at any time of the yearTherefore, the recommendations made by experts is that we should always use sunscreen, regardless of the season of the year we are in. Let’s remember that we must also choose a sunscreen that fits the stage or life cycle we are in,” said the professional.
Vitamin C prevents colds
“The use of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is quite broad. Fundamentally, it is used to treat a disease called scurvy, which is a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C and that causes fatigue, gum inflammation, joint pain, poor healing, among other things. In relation, specifically to the cold, the truth is that it does not have an effect on that clinical picture”he concluded.
