Baylor College of Medicine Physician's Assistant instructor Isabel Valdez says she hears a lot of interesting reasons for catching cold in her practice. Ideas like ‘going outside in cold and rainy weather will bring on a cold,’ ‘keep your head covered or you’ll catch cold,’ ‘take your vitamins to stave off a cold,’ and the all-time favorite ‘don’t go outside with wet hair or a cold is on its way to you!’ Are any of these ideas accurate? “Absolutely not!” answers Valdez. “In fact, I ran the Aramco Half Marathon on Sunday in the wet and cold --- and I’m doing just fine.”
Valdez sees people sick with cold and flu every day. How does she NOT catch a cold?
“My big secret is to wash my hands all the time. I also try to squeeze in 6 to 8 hours of sleep every night. I exercise 3 times a week and eat healthful meals, and of course, in between all these activities I’m washing, washing, washing my hands!”
And stay away from your sick friends!