It has been found that covering up with a scarf can stop you getting a common cold.

Research from Yale University finds that we get more colds in winter because when our nose temperature drops by five degrees, our immune system does not work as well.

So the colder the temperature, the lower your immunity.

"We found that the innate immune response to the rhinovirus is impaired at the lower body temperature compared to the core body temperature," said study senior author and Yale professor of immunobiology Akiko Iwasaki.

The study also strongly suggested that varying temperatures influenced the immune response, rather than the virus itself.

Researchers saw viral replication in airway cells from mice with genetic gaps in the immune system sensors that detect virus and in the antiviral response.

They found that with these deficiencies, the virus was able to replicate at the higher temperature.

"That proves it's not just virus intrinsic, but it's the host's response, that's the major contributor," Ms Iwasaki said.

While the research was conducted on mouse cells, the authors say it offers clues that may benefit people - including the roughly 20% of us who harbour rhinovirus in our noses at any given time.

"In general, the lower the temperature, it seems the lower the innate immune response to viruses," Ms Iwasaki added.

In other words, she said, the research may give credence to the old wives' tale that people should cover their noses to avoid catching colds.

Yale researchers also say they hope to apply this insight into how temperature affects immune response to other conditions, such as childhood asthma.

While the common cold is no more than a nuisance for many people, it can cause severe breathing problems for children with asthma.

Watch some of the Yale research below: