Virologist Vivian Luchsinger and Dr. Felipe Rivera explain that low temperatures can temporarily weaken the body’s defense mechanisms, such as the activity of the cilia and the production of mucus into the respiratory tract, which facilitates the entry of viruses such as rinovirus and influenza.
Phrases like “Abrigate, you’re going to cold” or “Don’t be barefoot that you are going to get sick” are part of the popular imaginary when temperatures lower.
However, according to specialists from the University of Chile, This belief has no scientific support: The cold does not directly cause colds or flu.
Virologist Vivian Luchsinger, from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of the House of Bello, clarifies that Both common cold and influenza are caused by specific viruses —Rinovirus and influenza, respectively – and not because of the weather.
“The cold contributes, but is not responsible. These diseases are produced by viruses. What is cold is to reduce the effectiveness of our natural defenses, such as the activity of the airways in the airways or mucus production, which facilitates the entry of viruses, ”said Luchsinger.
To this is added a behavioral factor: in the cold days, People tend to meet in closed and little ventilated spaceswhich facilitates the transmission of virus from one person to another.
“It is the behavior, not the temperaturewhich favors infections, ”added the specialist.
From the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile, Dr. Felipe Rivera coincides. “The cold, by itself, does not produce respiratory diseases. What it does is irritate the airways, especially in allergic, asthmatic or diseases such as COPD, which leaves the most vulnerable mucous membranes to the entry of germs, ”he said.
Rivera added that Sudden temperature changes can trigger respiratory crises in sensitive patients, but reiterated that in healthy and well warmed people, The cold should not represent a direct risk.
“If the cold gets sick by itself, All Eskimos or those who live in Antarctica would be constantly coldand clearly it is not so, ”he said.
Thus, experts are emphatic: the cold can temporarily weakens our defenses and facilitate the propagation of virusbut it is not the direct cause of colds or flu.
The best way to prevent these diseases remains hygiene, ventilation of spaces and, in the case of influenza, vaccination.
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