Can You Catch a Cold?
[Summary of Daniel Roytas’ Book]
We’re all familiar with the idea that colds and flu are caused by viruses and spread easily through coughs, sneezes, and physical contact. According to the NHS, colds are infectious until symptoms fully resolve—usually within 1 to 2 weeks—and viruses can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours. These are the messages many of us have accepted since childhood.
But what if this commonly held belief isn’t the full picture?
In Can You Catch a Cold?, Daniel Roytas invites readers to question the dominant narrative about how illnesses like colds and influenza are transmitted. Drawing on more than 200 scientific studies and over 1,000 citations, Roytas explores the possibility that contagion may not be as straightforward as we’ve been led to believe. He examines historical outbreaks, human challenge experiments, and the psychological dimensions of illness, suggesting that our current understanding of infectious disease is incomplete.
For example, experiments where healthy people were directly exposed to sick individuals or their bodily fluids often failed to result in transmission. These results challenge the foundational idea of germ theory and open the door to exploring alternative frameworks such as terrain theory—the concept that the internal environment of the body plays a larger role in health than external pathogens.
The book also touches on the mind-body connection, referencing work like Joe Dispenza’s Becoming Supernatural to emphasize how belief and perception may influence physical wellbeing. If someone believes they are vulnerable to illness, that belief alone may shape their physiological response—a powerful reminder of the influence of mindset.
Roytas doesn’t argue that illness doesn’t exist or that precautions are never necessary—especially around immunocompromised individuals—but he encourages readers to look deeper. Why do certain illnesses appear to “spread” seasonally? Are there other factors at play—environmental, emotional, or psychological?
Rather than offering a definitive answer, Can You Catch a Cold? encourages critical thinking, personal exploration, and a more holistic understanding of health. It’s an invitation to move beyond fear-based models and consider the many layers that influence why we get sick—and how we might stay well.
Can you catch a cold, by Daniel Roytas is available on Amazon by clicking the link.
