Mum says, "You'll catch your death of cold dressed like that". Funny, I always thought viruses were culpable

Answer 1

look i'v dressed in a mini skirt no knickers and vest for years and never got a cold... get some funny looks though cos i'm a man!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Your mother didn't say you will catch a cold, she said catch your death of cold. Always listen to your mother, she is always right.

You cannot catch a cold or flu from the cold as you say it's a virus, but you can suffer from exposure which can kill you. Your body can get too cold and all your vital organ will shut down in an effort to keep your heart pumping. By this time you are in hypothermia stage and unless you get in the warm you will die.

Answer 3

My doctor(s) have repeatedly told my mom that cold weather will not be the cause of my illness... However being out in the cold/being cold weakens your body against illness. I mean, if you're wearing a bikini and swim in freezing waters you're bound to get hypothermia (which is caused by your own body).

Cold weather just makes your body weaker against fighting germs. How often do you get a cold in winter than in summer?

Also some colds are just allergies. A lot of people get seasonal asthma, bronchitis, etc during the winter time... and antibiotics don't help.

Answer 4

There is a difference between flu and hypothermia.
Read more about hypothermia here - www.hypothermia.org
If you body is too cold, then nasal excretions, headaches, shiver, fever (due to body trying to 'auto-heat') may occure.
As you've guessed, the other common cold is due to the influenza virus.

So, your mother is right. Don't get hypothermia. Wear good warm clothes in case it's freezing.

In case you've influenza, follow the instructions here - http://www.notocatchcold.com/

Be well. Don't catch any kind of cold or flu. :)

Answer 5

You catch colds from airborne viruses, not dressing badly. It IS an old wives' tale, but then so are most things your Mum says - perhaps cos she's an old wife!!!

Answer 6

er if you are a bloke dressing in little amount of clothing, then maybe there is a different reason for her concern!! but you will only catch a cold through your nose not being able to fight off the virus and other peoples germs

Answer 7

You can't get a cold from going outside with limited clothes on. Its on old wives tale.

Answer 8

You are more susceptible to bacteria when you are cold.
Your body's defences don't work as efficiently, and cannot stop the virus from infecting you.