Question about health

[IIToxxicTess48II]

This might be the wrong place to put this question, but oh well...
My mother believes that taking a shower while sick (I have a cold) will make me more sick. I dont believe this, and I think I've heard somewhere that its scientifically proven not true. Could someone please tell me if its true or not, and why. I really want to take a shower, and my hair is gross looking, but my mom is being stubborn!!!
Thanks.

[Alt_Jack]

IIToxxicTess48II

This might be the wrong place to put this question, but oh well...
My mother believes that taking a shower while sick (I have a cold) will make me more sick. I dont believe this, and I think I've heard somewhere that its scientifically proven not true. Could someone please tell me if its true or not, and why. I really want to take a shower, and my hair is gross looking, but my mom is being stubborn!!!
Thanks.

I'm immensely curious as to what her basis for thinking that is, aside from being completely crazy. neutral
Washing your hands doesn't make you sick (unless you're using, say, mud insteaed of soap) so it stands to reason that using the same process on your entire body will have positive effects.

[SmallTownGuy]

Is she worried that the cold water would be a stress on your already-stressed body? I can't imagine you willingly taking a bath cold enough to make any difference (after all, hospitals ice down heart patients during some surgeries), but to make her happy you might promise to keep the bath extra warm.

[DXnobodyX]

Humidity is good for your mucus membranes and such so it relieves your eyes, nose and throat. So much so that ppl with sinus problems find it relieving to snort the steam coming off a cup of hot water XD

[Silver Lux]

IIToxxicTess48II

This might be the wrong place to put this question, but oh well...
My mother believes that taking a shower while sick (I have a cold) will make me more sick. I dont believe this, and I think I've heard somewhere that its scientifically proven not true. Could someone please tell me if its true or not, and why. I really want to take a shower, and my hair is gross looking, but my mom is being stubborn!!!
Thanks.

taking a hot shower is great it helps the mucus loosen. However when its cold its bad because when its cold your immune system cannot function at its max causing you to become worse as the result of immune system not working as efficiently.

[The_science_master]

The only reason why we get sick in the cold is because our body is already fighting some pathogen and when going outside without a jacket causes the internal body temp to go drastically down. As a result of this, your body now has to provide resources to get your body temp back up instead of fighting off the pathogen. This is why it seems people get sick when it is cold outside.

I actually recommend taking a shower when you're sick. A warm to hot one mind you. It actually provides some therapeutic effects and helps relieve some sinus problems, as noted by another poster.

So medially speaking, taking a shower will not make you worse.

[Mooby the Golden Sock]

The_science_master

The only reason why we get sick in the cold is because our body is already fighting some pathogen and when going outside without a jacket causes the internal body temp to go drastically down. As a result of this, your body now has to provide resources to get your body temp back up instead of fighting off the pathogen. This is why it seems people get sick when it is cold outside.

That is false.

When exposed to cold, the body compensates to maintain a stable core body temperature. When the body fails to do this, you develop hypothermia, at which point you have bigger issues than viruses.

The reason people get more sick in the winter is twofold:
1. The flu virus is seasonal (running from fall to spring in the US)
2. People are exposed to more during the winter.

When we try to stay indoors, the windows are all closed, kids are in school and no one's going on vacation, it's much easier for disease to circulate.

[The_science_master]

Mooby the Golden Sock

The_science_master

The only reason why we get sick in the cold is because our body is already fighting some pathogen and when going outside without a jacket causes the internal body temp to go drastically down. As a result of this, your body now has to provide resources to get your body temp back up instead of fighting off the pathogen. This is why it seems people get sick when it is cold outside.

That is false.

When exposed to cold, the body compensates to maintain a stable core body temperature. When the body fails to do this, you develop hypothermia, at which point you have bigger issues than viruses.

The reason people get more sick in the winter is twofold:
1. The flu virus is seasonal (running from fall to spring in the US)
2. People are exposed to more during the winter.

When we try to stay indoors, the windows are all closed, kids are in school and no one's going on vacation, it's much easier for disease to circulate.

Hypothermia is not all bad. People use it for therapeutic effects. http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--12810-0,00.html

My statement is not entirely false. It is a tailored explanation who may not understand biological functions. So no need for the extra information. Thanks though.

[Dorinkingu]

Dry off well after you shower, and dry your hair with a hair dryer if you have one, or dry it off as much as you can and wrap up in a blanket or sit by a heater to keep warm while it dries. You'll be fine~ ^^
Your mother's worry is based off of being wet after you shower, and the air cooling the water on your skin, which can make a cold worse. If you dry off quickly, then a nice hot shower could actually help you get better faster~ (It'll open up your sinuses and airways and stuff~)

[OhhRosey]

When i have a cold, i tend to have a hot shower (including washing my hair) and suddenly i feel much better.

[Oxymouse]

Usually when one takes a shower the body does it's best to control the rise/deflation of temperature which in turn adds to another stressor of an already sick body.