Colds and Flu: separating fact from fiction

Old wives' tales, urban myths, call them what you will. Most people have their own views when it comes to catching a cold. A lot of misleading information can get bandied about, so here's New You's guide to the facts and the downright fiction!

Cold weather causes colds and flu
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The weather has little direct effect on causing colds and flu.symptoms. What does affect the spread of colds and flu is that we are more likely to stay indoors, with more people, for longer periods of time. Airborne viruses spread and infect more efficiently when central heating systems are cranked up in the winter months, creating dry atmospheres that are the perfect breeding grounds for germs.

Feed a cold and starve a fever

Until now, most doctors and nutritionists have rejected the idea as a myth. But Dutch scientists have found that eating a meal boosts the type of immune response that destroys the viruses responsible for colds, while eating little stimulates the response that tackles the bacterial infections responsible for most fevers.

Going outside with wet hair will give you a cold

This will probably give you the shivers, but not a cold. Unless there is an airborne virus circulating, all you'll be left with is a cold head. So try wearing a hat!
David Bull has some tips to help you if you end up catching a cold or flu virus.