Answer: Myth
Frustration with an illness we can't cure may lead to these attempts, explained Dr. Lisa Bernstein, an assistant professor of medicine at Emory University.
"Unfortunately we haven't gotten smart enough in modern medicine to cure the common cold, so a lot of people are looking for their own way to do so. One of those is to possibly cover yourself with blankets and try to sweat out a cold."
But trying to sweat out a cold won't accomplish much, she said.
"Unfortunately, that's not going to do it. The cold is caused by over 200 viruses, and it just takes its time up to several days to several weeks for your cold to get out of your system."
However, feeling better may be just as important as getting better, Bernstein said, especially with an illness that takes time to get over.
"Do whatever makes you feel better -- whether it's putting more blankets on if you feel a chill, drinking warm liquids, or taking over-the-counter medication. It's just going to take time," she said.
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