Why winter makes you more vulnerable to colds – a public health nurse explains the science behind the season

Respiratory viruses rise in the wintertime, but not because people are outside in the cold. gilaxia/E+ via Getty Images

You’ve probably heard “Don’t go outside in the winter with your hair wet or without a coat; you’ll catch a cold.”

That’s not exactly true. As with many things, the reality is more complicated. Here’s the distinction: Being cold isn’t why you get a cold. But it is true that cold weather makes it easier to catch respiratory viruses such as the cold and flu.