NHS GP says cold weather doesn't give you colds – something else does

It's the season when people start to fall ill.

Coughs and colds are among the prevalent issues currently circulating. While we may anticipate feeling a bit under the weather as winter approaches, there are certain misconceptions about getting sick that we tend to believe.

An NHS GP has recently debunked one of the most significant myths in an effort to alleviate people's concerns. Doctor Shireen, who goes by @doctorshireen on TikTok, is renowned for her online health advice.

She recently clarified whether being cold can actually lead to catching a cold, and her response might surprise you. Doctor Shireen confessed that she believes it's one of the "biggest myths" in medical advice.

In a straightforward explanatory video, she said: "This is not true. There is no medical evidence to suggest this, but there is a reason you are more prone to viruses when the weather is cold, and I'm going to go into that now.

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"Firstly, when it's cold outside, you're more likely to congregate indoors. So, instead of going to see your friends in a park or sitting outside in a pub for example, people come to each other's houses.

"There is a lot more indoor mingling, and if Covid-19 taught us anything is social distancing is key at preventing viruses, and we actually lose social distancing when the weather is cold.

"The other key thing is there is some medical evidence out there that cold weather weakens our immune system so that means, when we are exposed to the viruses, we are much more likely to catch them."

Despite a slight correlation between cold weather and illness, the weather itself does not directly cause illness. A viral infection is necessary for a cold to develop so, according to the GP, there's no need to wrap up unless you prefer to.

The video has garnered dozens of likes since its posting, and viewers were quick to respond. Many believe this information needs to be emphasized to older generations.

One commenter expressed: "Thank you for sharing. I am always telling my daughter to wrap up warm otherwise she will catch a cold. Mind you, when she was at uni, she sometimes went out wearing damp clothes."

Another disagreed, stating: "Being too cold makes you more prone to illness though, so it's not really untrue'." A third commenter shared a contrasting experience, writing: "Strange that I have experienced the exact opposite."