If you want to avoid getting a cold, keep your feet warm and dry. That's the advice British researchers are giving. 7Healthcast Reporter Dr. Deanna Lites has the story.
Coughing and sneezing; signs of a cold coming on? But can you catch a cold from catching a chill?
Ron Eccles from the Common Cold Center in London, says "For every person who's got a cold, there are two or three who are harboring the virus in the nose but haven't yet developed symptoms. And it's when you chill that particular group that you bring on the common cold symptoms."
To test that theory British researchers asked 90 volunteers to sit with their bare feet in icy water for 20 minutes. Thirteen out of the 90 said they developed cold symptoms.
Dr. Richard Pingree from Mass General Hospital says, "If we happen to get chilled we always look for a reason why we came down with that cold."
Researchers of the study say when you have cold feet it restricts blood vessels in your nose, hurting your ability to fight off germs. Internist Dr. Pingree says that's unlikely "Being chilled may cause vasoconstriction but I doubt it has a significant effect on our immune system."
Dr. Pingree also said participants weren't tested for the actual cold virus and that having symptoms doesn't mean you have a cold. He says, "Unfortunately there are hundreds of different viruses that cause a runny nose sort throat aches cough."
The best way to avoid catching a cold is good hygiene. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands often, clean things that are touched a lot like your telephone and computer key board and avoid close contact with other people who are sick.
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