The common cold can come in many forms and has spawned numerous myths ranging from home remedies, how staying inside can reduce your risk, and more.

9 Myths About the Common Cold

The Virus Can Only Be Passed by Sneezing or Coughing

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3. The Virus Can Only Be Passed by Sneezing or Coughing

Although a sneeze is bound to launch the virus through the air, it’s not the only way the common cold gets around. True, the water droplets released from the mouth and nose are exceptionally efficient carriers, but even breathing or talking can send the troublesome particles into the air, too.

In some cases, simply touching the skin of an infected person is often enough to pass along the infection. Even more frightening is the fact that the rhinovirus can live on hard and soft surfaces for quite a while — which means public or shared spaces are the perfect settings for catching colds.

Resources

The Washington Post (Five myths about the common cold)Huffington Post (New Video Busts 4 Common Myths About Catching Cold in Cold Weather)Parents.com (12 Cold and Flu Myths)

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