It is the wet season again in South Africa and many people believe that being soaked in the rain can cause colds, fevers, and flu-like symptoms. Typically, after becoming wet, even from a light sprinkle of rain, one begins to feel ill. The first symptom is sneezing, followed by muscle soreness and fever.
This poses the question, “Does getting wet from rain make you sick?” Parents have long assumed that being wet in the rain makes their children sick, but is this true? Continue reading to find out more.
Can You Get Sick from Rain?
Rain can not transfer diseases, therefore getting caught in a rainstorm or sprinting in it will not make you sick. Viruses that cause the common cold and flu travel through the bodily fluids of an infected individual. This means that coming into contact with sick people, or touching a surface contaminated with snot or saliva, and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose, is what can make you sick.
Although it is true that more individuals get sick during the cold and wet seasons, this is more likely due to being indoors for extended periods of time. According to research, cold and flu viruses thrive in cold, dry circumstances. These viruses do not spread well in humid environments, such as rain. People are more likely to congregate indoors on rainy days. As a result, rainy weather may give viruses a better opportunity of infecting more people in close proximity.
So why do we get sick?
As previously said, the rain is not responsible for making you sick, but it may have elevated your risk of contracting an illness for the following reasons according to Complete Care:
Lowered body temperatures
Cold and rainy weather decreases our body temperature, which weakens our immune systems and makes us more susceptible to illnesses. It can also increase your risk of infection and make your body’s ability to fight off infection more challenging. Extreme low temperatures can also increase our susceptibility to catastrophic illnesses such as hypothermia, a serious condition in which the body loses more heat than it produces.
Low humidity
The airborne bacteria and viruses can survive for longer in low humidity situations, increasing your chances of being ill. Because of the high amounts of bacteria and viruses in the air, the common cold and flu are the most common illnesses you encounter throughout the winter. Is bacteria to blame for the common cold? Bacteria and viruses, like sinus infections and pneumonia, are the main causes of common ailments.
Also see: 5 Foods to eat that helps the heart
