Can you really catch a cold by going outside with a wet head? Dr. Charlotte Grayson answers this germy question.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
“Hey Doc, Can I really catch a cold if I go outside with a wet head?”
It sounds like you’ve been listening to your mother again. She probably warned you – don’t go outside with a wet head, or you’ll catch your death of cold!
Well, I hate to contradict dear old mom, but it’s just not true.
Her other warning that you can catch a cold from going outside without your coat on – well, sorry Mom, that one’s not true, either.
Of course if you do head out without enough layers on, you won’t necessarily catch a cold, but you’ll probably feel pretty chilly.
A cold is actually caused by a virus, and in order to catch one, you need to be exposed to it.
Cold germs are spread into the air through droplets that are released when someone coughs or sneezes.
You can also catch a cold if you touch a surface that’s been contaminated with cold germs and then touch your nose or mouth.
The best way to avoid a cold is to steer clear of anyone who has one.
And – this is important – by washing your hands. Often. You can’t spread the germs if they’re washed down the drain.
If you do catch a cold, there is one piece of mom’s advice you should follow – cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze!
There’s no point in passing it around any farther.