The short answer is—no! The cold weather cannot give you a cold…or any other illness, for that matter.

So, what does cause illness this time of year?

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN wants to share some insight about how we catch viruses in the winter, as well as what you can do to prevent them.

Can You Catch a Cold From the Cold Weather?

Common belief is that you catch a cold by going into cold weather without warm clothes. But medical science has proven that is not the case!

The common cold is a virus that’s passed from person to person through air droplet transfer. It’s more common in cold weather—leading to the misconception that it’s caused by cold weather—due to the fact that we spend more time indoors in close proximity to others, without much air flow.

Common Cold Prevention

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid touching your face as much as possible.
• Do not smoke.
• Keep household surfaces clean and disinfected.
• Wash toys.
• Throw away tissues after use.
• Use paper towels.

How Can I Prevent the Flu?

Just like the common cold, the flu virus is also extremely contagious. Coming in close contact with those who have the flu is how you’d be exposed to the virus.

Your best defense is the flu shot. And believe it or not, it is not too late to get your flu shot for the year. Stop by our urgent care center at your earliest convenience. No appointment is necessary!

Most Common Winter Illnesses

• Common cold
• Flu
• Strep throat
• Head lice
• Stomach flu
• RSV

Do you think you might be experiencing symptoms of a cold or the flu? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN today for a medical evaluation and flu test. No appointment is necessary!