Respiratory virus season is formally right here within the United States, making it one of the best time to catch a chilly. And as a result of the common grownup will get two or three colds a 12 months, you might have to cope with an onslaught of colds and sneezes a couple of occasions within the close to future.
That mentioned, it is a good suggestion to do what you may (like wash your fingers) to keep away from germs and scale back your danger of getting sick. But there are lots of myths about what catching colds entails, together with methods to forestall and deal with them. Indeed, Dr. Tommaso Russo, professor and chief of infectious illnesses on the University at Buffalo in New York, says it is one thing he will get requested about typically.
So what are the largest chilly myths and what’s truly legit? Infectious illness docs break them down.
Myth no. 1: There’s a virus behind the widespread chilly
There’s a purpose you may catch a chilly a number of occasions a season — even after it feels such as you’ve simply gotten over one, Russo says: They may be brought on by quite a lot of viruses.
The widespread chilly is brought on by greater than 200 respiratory viruses, which your immune system should attempt to defend itself from. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rhinoviruses are the most typical explanation for colds within the United States, however different causes embrace human coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and human metapneumovirus.
Worth noting: SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also can trigger cold-like signs, however they do not truly trigger colds , based on the CDC.
Myth #2: Going out with moist hair will increase the danger of catching a chilly
This is massive information that retains popping out, nevertheless it’s not true, Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious illness specialist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, tells Yahoo Life. “Colds are brought on by viruses, and whether or not you may have a moist head or really feel chilly would not matter to the virus,” he says.
This has truly been studied earlier than. Schaffner factors out older searches wherein individuals had been divided into two teams. Half was heat and cozy, whereas the opposite half was humid and uncomfortable. Everyone has been uncovered to a virus that causes the widespread chilly. “It turned out that each teams had the identical an infection charge,” he says.
Myth #3: Vitamin C can forestall colds
Pharmacy and grocery retailer cabinets are crammed with vitamin C dietary supplements that strongly suggest and even clearly state that they are going to assist forestall colds. But the proof is solely not there.
A study out of 29 scientific trials involving greater than 11,000 individuals discovered that common consumption of vitamin C had no impression on how typically individuals caught colds. THE National Institutes of Health (NIH) additionally clearly states on-line that “vitamin C dietary supplements don’t scale back the danger of contracting the widespread chilly.”
That mentioned, some information means that taking vitamin C may also help with colds. A analyses of scientific trials discovered that individuals who took a minimum of one gram a day of vitamin C after they had a chilly lowered the severity of the chilly by 15 % and had signs for barely much less time than individuals who took a placebo. Another study have discovered that taking vitamin C inside 24 hours of the onset of signs may also help shorten the length of a chilly.
Ultimately, Russo says there’s “no information to help” the usage of vitamin C to scale back the danger of catching a chilly.
Myth #4: You can solely catch colds in winter
It’s true that colds are extra widespread in winter. In reality, the CDC says most individuals catch colds between September and May. But do not be stunned in the event you occur to catch a chilly even in summer season.
“Viruses are at all times round,” Russo says. However, he factors out that some viruses are extra considerable in sure durations of time than others.
“There are summer season chilly viruses,” provides Russo. Although rhinoviruses are the most typical explanation for colds as an entire, summer season colds normally are caused by enteroviruses.
Myth no. Fact #5: Antibiotics assist deal with colds
Antibiotics have been so extensively used to deal with infections that it’s comprehensible to a minimum of ponder whether taking these medicine will assist remedy a chilly. But antibiotics do not remedy something.
“Antibiotics are directed towards micro organism, not viruses,” says Russo. In different phrases, antibiotics will do nothing to remedy a chilly.
“Not solely do you expose your self to potential uncomfortable side effects from taking the antibiotic, however you assist make the micro organism in your physique extra immune to antibiotics,” Schaffner provides. “Please do not do that.”
It’s attainable, nevertheless, that your “chilly” might be attributable to one thing else, akin to bronchitis, strep throat, or pneumonia. If you discover that your signs are getting worse, or that you’ve a sore throat and fever, Russo recommends seeing a health care provider for an analysis.
