Drinking cold water or eating ice cream causes a cold.

VerdictFalse

Checked against CDC

Cold and cough are caused by viruses, not by cold water or ice cream. You can get a cold any time of year, and it spreads from person to person.

What experts say

A cold is a viral infection of the nose, throat and upper airways, caused by many different respiratory viruses.1
Colds are not caused by cold water or ice cream; they are caused by viruses.1
You can get a cold any time of year, not only in winter.1
Viruses that cause colds spread through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, and by touching contaminated surfaces then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.1
Flu is caused by the influenza virus. It can cause cold-like symptoms, but it is not a cold and can be more serious.1

Why people believe it

People often get a cold around the time they have cold drinks or ice cream, so it can look like the cause. Cold weather also brings some viruses, which can make the link feel true.

What to do

If you have cold-like symptoms and think it could be COVID-19 or flu, get tested, especially if you are at higher risk.1
If you are at higher risk, talk to a doctor early, because antiviral treatment for COVID-19 and flu works best when started soon after symptoms begin.1
Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces that may be contaminated.1
You do not need to avoid cold water or ice cream to prevent a cold; they do not cause it.1

See a doctor if

Trouble breathing or wheezing.1
Cold symptoms that last longer than a week.1
In babies, older adults, or people with weak immunity or long-term illness, cold-like symptoms can become severe.1
Worsening of a long-term condition like COPD or heart failure.1