Did you know?  With Dr Marco Bonollo

We’ve all been taught growing up to beware of the cold, layer up when we go outside, and steer clear of draughts.

But no matter what our parents may have told us in our youth, this one just isn’t true.

This is because germs make you sick, not cold weather. To catch a cold, you need to come in contact with rhinoviruses. And to get the flu, you need to get infected with influenza.

Put simply – spending too much time amid cold air will not make you sick.

In fact, you’re actually more likely to get sick indoors, where germs are easily passed from one person to another. This also helps explain why flu rates have a habit of spiking during the cold season – as we tend to take shelter inside places where germs and viruses can survive for longer.

Many people will also feel a bit under the weather when they experience sudden weather changes. However, research shows that while it can’t actually make you sick, a sudden change of temperature can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to germs.

There are, of course, some people who should avoid wintery conditions for their health. For example, people with a history of asthma or upper respiratory conditions can be affected by cold weather.

Of course, you should still take care to protect yourself against extreme temperatures. For example, hypothermia can result from exposure to extremely cold weather and elements. This condition occurs when your body loses too much heat, and requires immediate medical care.

So in summary, focus on boosting your immune system, rather than avoiding the outside. Make sure you wash and dry your hands after touching anything germy. Eat a range of fruit and vegetables, even if your favourites aren’t in season (also, for an extra immune-kick, consume foods rich in vitamin C like red peppers, kale and oranges). And get enough sleep – during rest, our bodies naturally produce infection-fighting antibodies and cells to ward off bacteria and viruses.

Read in conjunction with advice provided by your GP or specialist doctor.