Does Low Body Temperature Cause Illness?
As children, we are often told to dress warmly in the winter so we do not get sick. This is a common piece of advice, but is there any truth behind it?
In fact, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that being cold can get you sick. Most illnesses are caused by viruses and bacteria. Illnesses like strep throat, influenza, and the common cold are only spread through contact with other infected people. How cold you are when you come into contact with the virus or bacteria has nothing to do with whether or not you will get sick.
The effect of body temperature on contracting illness was tested on human beings in the 1950s. Researchers divided volunteers into two groups: half of them were kept in a warm room and the other half were kept in a cold room. Both groups were then exposed to rhinovirus-the virus responsible for the common cold. The researchers discovered that members of both groups developed colds at the same rate. Since that first experiment, there have been similar experiments performed with a variety of different illnesses. All have yielded the same result: being cold does not make a person more likely to get sick.
Of course, it does seem that people do get sick more often when the weather is cold. However, this is because there is some evidence that people do get sick more often in cold weather, but it has nothing to do with forgetting to bundle up when it is chilly. When it is cold outside, people tend to stay inside. With so many people gathered closely together indoors, germs are spread more easily. Germs are spread from person to person, regardless of how cold or warm their bodies are.
Which detail in the text supports the idea that people get sick more often when it is cold outside?
A) Germs, including the rhinovirus, spread from person to person.
B) The cold weather has nothing to do with the fact that people get sick during the winter months.
C) The fact that people are gathered together indoors makes it easier for germs to spread.
D) The experiment completed in the 1950s showed that people developed colds when exposed to both cold and hot weather.
Correct Answer:
Verified
Q189: Running vs. Walking
Running is one of the
Q190: Running vs. Walking
Running is one of the
Q191: Does Low Body Temperature Cause Illness?
As children,
Q192: Does Low Body Temperature Cause Illness?
As children,
Q193: Soda Ban
Cigarettes. Alcohol. Drugs. Most people agree
Q195: Running vs. Walking
Running is one of the
Q196: Does Low Body Temperature Cause Illness?
As children,
Q197: Running vs. Walking
Running is one of the
Q198: Running vs. Walking
Running is one of the
Q199: Does Low Body Temperature Cause Illness?
As children,
Unlock this Answer For Free Now!
View this answer and more for free by performing one of the following actions
Scan the QR code to install the App and get 2 free unlocks
Unlock quizzes for free by uploading documents