We decided to test the legitimacy of the claim made by parents who often scare their children by saying that not wearing a hat in the cold can cause meningitis.
Firstly, let’s understand the nature of meningitis – it is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord, caused by bacterial or viral infections. Viral meningitis, which is relatively less dangerous, is typically caused by mumps, herpes, enteroviruses, HIV, and other viruses. On the other hand, bacterial meningitis, though less common, can be life-threatening – one in ten patients with bacterial meningitis succumbs to the illness, and one in five suffer from severe after-effects even after recovery. Shockingly, bacterial meningitis is responsible for over half of all meningitis-related deaths worldwide, despite it being less prevalent than the viral form.
Meningitis resulting from other causes such as fungal infections, cancerous tumors, head trauma, parasites (through contaminated water bodies or infected food), etc., are relatively rare. However, it’s worth noting that hypothermia is not one of the causes of meningitis. Furthermore, it’s interesting to observe that meningitis is more prevalent in countries where there are no freezing temperatures. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the highest incidence of meningitis is observed in the “meningitis belt” of Africa, south of the Sahara.
It’s important to note that it’s not possible to cause inflammation in the brain by freezing it – our body has robust protective mechanisms that prevent internal organs from being affected by hypothermia. In response to cold temperatures, blood vessels in our body contract and redirect blood from the surface to the inner body, our muscles shiver to generate heat, and our body produces hormones that boost metabolism. Hence, it’s more likely to suffer frostbite on exposed areas such as the ears due to cold weather rather than getting a cold in the brain due to not wearing a hat.
Despite the previous point, it’s worth noting that the incidence of meningitis does indeed increase during the winter season. So, what’s the reason behind this phenomenon? Firstly, during winters, people tend to catch colds and flu more often, which weakens the immune system and indirectly makes the body more susceptible to disease-causing agents such as bacteria and viruses. Secondly, we tend to spend more time indoors with a large number of people, which facilitates the transmission of these pathogens. Therefore, it’s easier to contract meningitis during the winter season while being indoors in a warm room rather than from being outside in the cold.
Let’s take a moment to discuss why people tend to contract respiratory infections more frequently during the winter season. Is it because they don’t wear hats and become cold? While some experts in the scientific community believe that hypothermia can weaken the immune system, others suggest that a lack of vitamin D due to inadequate exposure to sunlight could have a much stronger impact on the body’s ability to fight off diseases. For instance, research shows that patients with COVID-19 who were deficient in vitamin D had a mortality rate that was four times higher than those without this deficiency. Moreover, when cold air enters respiratory tract cells, they produce interferons (proteins produced by our cells in response to the invasion of pathogens) less actively, which could also affect the immune response. However, wearing a hat cannot protect you from these factors.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the Canadian Meningitis Foundation, vaccination is the only reliable way to prevent bacterial meningitis, although it cannot guarantee 100% protection. This is particularly relevant for individuals who are likely to be in close contact with those who are sick or are planning to travel to countries where meningitis is prevalent.
Since there is no vaccine available for viral meningitis, experts recommend following general guidelines for protection against viruses. These include frequently washing your hands, particularly before eating, disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding crowded places. However, warm clothing is not mentioned as a preventive measure for any form of meningitis.
According to Yuri Zagvazdin, a scientist from the Department of Physiology at the Southeastern University of Nova USA, meningitis used to be associated with extreme temperatures, emotional experiences, and other factors, leading to the myth that wearing a hat in cold weather can prevent the disease. However, these theories were debunked by scientists in the early 20th century. Despite this, erroneous beliefs found their way into Russian culture and were reflected in the works of Solzhenitsyn, Paustovsky, Pasternak, and other writers. Zagvazdin links the spread of this myth in Russia to these cultural influences. It is worth noting that this myth cannot be found in the English-speaking segment of the internet.
To summarize, there is no direct correlation between cold weather and meningitis. Although cold weather can lower a person’s immunity, it does not cause the disease directly. Furthermore, no reputable medical organization recommends wearing warm clothing or a hat as a preventive measure against meningitis. The myth that going outside with a wet head or without a hat in the winter causes meningitis likely originated from erroneous beliefs reflected in Russian literature. Ultimately, it is essential to take preventive measures such as vaccination and general hygiene practices to protect oneself from meningitis. While wearing a hat may help prevent frostbite, it is not a necessary measure against meningitis.
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