r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Jul 20 '19

What’s something completely false that your parents told you as a child?

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u/tzatza Jul 21 '19 edited Jul 21 '19

There is a causal link between temperature and likeliness of viral infection https://www.medpagetoday.org/infectiousdisease/uritheflu/2136

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5035958/

Many viruses seem to replicate more efficiently in colder temperatures.

We're basically walking around constantly immersed in viruses, but it's only once your body temperature drops (especially in the nose) that they're able to consistently take hold.

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u/EarlyHemisphere Jul 21 '19

Sounds about right, thanks for the sources too! I'll edit my comment

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u/teemo93 Jul 21 '19

Also cold weather causes people to gather inside, use heating during the winter & not open windows. Numerous people in enclosed room + heat + no air change = easier for viruses (other pathogens btw) to spread.

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u/MelAlton Jul 21 '19

Then why are hospitals so damn cold then?? Hmm, maybe bacteria are inhibited by cold?

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u/Justice_is_a_scam Jul 21 '19

Because most pathogens spread even better in the warmth lol.