Is It True That Lingering In Wet Clothing Or Being Exposed To Cold Temperatures Increases My Chances Of Getting A Cold?

Dr. Jon Abramson answers the question: 'Wet Clothing Increases Chance of Cold?'

Jon Abramson, M.D., Prof. and Chairman, Dept. of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

September 25, 2008, 10:04 AM ET

1 min read

— -- Question: Is it true that lingering in wet clothing or being exposed to cold temperatures increases my chances of getting a cold?

Answer: No, being out in the cold or being cold or having wet clothes does not increase your chance of having a cold or the flu. This is one of the myths that do exist about both the common cold and the flu, and clearly from a lot of studies this is not the case. It is true, however, the flu virus circulates mainly in the fall and the wintertime, and that therefore, you do see a lot more flu during that time than the rest of the year in temperate countries, such as the United States.

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