6 myths about the common cold

no matter what anyone says, antibiotics won't prevent or treat a cold.

by maija kappler

jan 13 2023

3 minute read

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why the common cold is so hard to prevent

generally speaking, kids on average will get between six and 10 colds every year, while adults will have between two and four. getty

it’s cold season. the bad news is that colds are going around at the same time as rsv, the flu, and the seemingly never-ending covid-19 pandemic. the good news is that colds are usually relatively mild, and tend to pass on their own after several days. but have you ever wondered if you can “feed” a cold? should you stay away from dairy when you are sick? and how much stock should you put into the claim that chicken soup gets rid of colds faster?

what exactly is a cold?

what we generally refer to as “the common cold” is actually a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, the mayo clinic explains. the membranes that line the nose and throat become inflamed, causing symptoms like sore throat, cough, runny nose, need to sneeze, headache and fatigue.

there are over 200 similar viruses that can cause colds, according to johns hopkins medicine, but they’re usually caused by rhinoviruses.

and colds are exceedingly common, the university says: while rates have gone down over the past few years due to reduced socializing because of the pandemic, generally speaking, kids on average will get between six and 10 colds every year, while adults will have between two and four.

the truth about colds

1. cold weather causes colds: false

colds do tend to spread in the fall and winter, johns hopkins medicine explains, but it’s not actually due to the weather itself. there are a few likely explanations as to why it happens at that time of year: schools start up again, kids are in closer proximity, for instance, and low humidity makes the nasal passages dry, which makes them more vulnerable to viruses.

but the biggest factor is our behaviour in response to the weather, rather than the weather itself.

“when the weather turns cold, we all run indoors where air is recycled,” dr. sorana segal-maurer told cnn. “and we’re often in close quarters with other people and viruses. we all sneeze on top of each other.”

2. feed a cold, starve a fever: false

it’s not clear where this longstanding myth came from, but it isn’t true, either for a cold or a fever. it’s entirely dependent on the individual person: many people with a cold (or a fever!) won’t have much of an appetite, but others will. eat if you’re hungry, but don’t force yourself to if you’re not, the mayo clinic says — either way, make sure you’re drinking lots of water.

3. avoid dairy if you have a cold, because it will make you more mucus-y: false

dairy doesn’t actually make you produce any more mucus, although it might feel that way. the mayo clinic explains that dairy can coat your throat, which might make you feel like you’re producing more mucus even though you’re not. in some cases, eating dairy can actually be good for someone with a cold: ice cream may be soothing on a dry, scratchy throat, for instance.

4. antibiotics will make your cold go away faster: false

antibiotics treat bacterial infections, john hopkins explains — not viruses. while you might feel like you need a heavy-hitting medicine, it won’t actually do anything to improve your symptoms, or get you healthy faster. in some cases, they might actually make things worse: upset stomach, diarrhea and rashes are all potential side effects of antibiotics. and taking them when they’re not necessary can lead to antibiotic resistance.

5. vitamin c and other supplements will ward off colds: mostly false

there’s been a ton of research about vitamin c and its impact on our health — and, to a lesser extent, supplements like zinc and echinacea. while these are all are good for you — at least in small doses — there just hasn’t been any definitive proof that they actually help.

our bodies also better absorb vitamins and minerals through food than through supplemental form. having a healthy and balanced diet is good for us in a ton of ways — but unfortunately, even people who eat well and get plenty of vitamin c can (and do) get colds.

6. chicken soup can heal a cold: possibly true

the classic comfort food, chicken soup is often presented as a cure for mild illness. while there isn’t much hard evidence of this, it can’t hurt — it’s a good idea to take in lots of fluids when you’re sick, and some studies have suggested that chicken soup may have anti-inflammatory properties that can potentially be helpful.

maija kappler is a reporter and editor with healthing.

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6 myths about the common cold