Can you get a cold from being cold and wet?
No. This is a myth. But before we go into that, here are some basics you need to know.
What is a common cold?
A cold is caused by any one of several viruses that causes inflammation of the membranes that line the nose and throat. It can result from any one of more than 200 different viruses. But, the rhinoviruses causes most colds.
How do I know if I have a cold?
You cannot. There is no simple blood or sputum test. And the symptoms of a cold, flu and COVID-19 are the same, as they are all respiratory viruses – and spread in the same way (coughing etc):
- Blocked or runny nose
- Sore throat or earache
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Pressure in your face
- Loss of taste and smell.
So. Can you get a cold from being cold and wet?
No. This is a myth. Getting chilly or wet does not cause you to have a cold.
However, more colds do occur during the cold season (early autumn to late winter). This is probably due to a variety of factors, including:
- Children are at school, increasing the risk for exposure to the virus
- People stay more indoors and are in closer proximity to each other.
Summary
We have explained whether you can get a cold from being cold and wet. The short answer is no. We hope it has been helpful.
