Host: Can I catch a cold in an environment with circulated air? Ronald Turner: Well, for most colds, no. For most colds the circulation of the air doesn't have anything to do with it. There are a few colds that are caused by viruses such as Influenza that are transmitted in the air and theoretically, under conditions of recirculation of air, you might be more be susceptible or you might have a great risk of acquiring a cold under those conditions. But for the vast majority of colds it would make no difference.