Myths about the common cold

Bundle up when you’re outside and eat all your chicken noodle soup. Our mothers all have their own remedies, myths and tricks for making us feel better. What’s truth in all of what we grew up with though? I looked up some of the most common myths about the common cold and tips for fighting it that may be more fiction than fact.

1. Cold weather causes colds- False

Walk around outside in shorts if you’d like! Cooler and damper surroundings have nothing to do with colds. If you wonder why people are more likely to come down with a cold during the winter months, it’s because we tend to spend more time indoors in closer contact with others. Less fresh air and increase in being sneezed on greatly increases the odds of coming down with a cold.

2. Chicken noodle soup is good for a cold- True

Some studies have found drinking non-alcoholic fluids helps the body clear mucus from bronchial tubes. Warm liquid is more likely to make you feel better, and soups and sports drinks (the ones that boast about electrolytes and giving back to your body) are great sources of extra vitamins to strengthen your body to fight illness.

3. Only people with weak immune systems catch colds- False

Anyone can catch a cold once they have been exposed to the virus. As I mentioned earlier, those who are closely surrounded by others are more prone to coming in contact with the virus. Teachers especially be warned, those sneezy kids are most likely not washing their hands often and increase the odds of getting the sickness. Adults beware as well, who touched that box of pasta before you in the grocery store? Every time you leave the house, strong immune system or not, you are opening yourself up to coming in contact with bacteria and viruses. Those with strong immune systems may be able to fight off sickness faster, but are not necessarily better off than others when it comes to becoming sick.

4. Humidifiers help prevent colds- True

Humidifiers and air purifying systems keep the air in your home clean with constant circulation. Spending a few bucks on one of these has been proven to make everyone in your home happy and healthy.

All myths about fighting colds with vitamin C, penicillin, or alcohol were all false as well. As much as we want to believe vitamin C will help prevent a cold, it will only strengthen your immune system which can help fight a cold faster, but not prevent it (95% of adults with healthy immune systems caught a cold when exposed to the virus). Antibiotics will not cure viruses, and alcohol is never a good cure for any illness.

What are your best personal remedies? How do you fight against coming down with a cold?