It is a popular jinx that children passes on cold and cough to their parents. However, as per the new research, the above mentioned statement is not correct.

A study was taken out by a group of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, which has concluded that parents are less likely to get cold in comparison to couple, who have not become parents.

The research, which has also been published in the medical journal Psychosomatic Medicine, has found that more the children less are the chances for parents to get cold and flu.

Dr. Brian Morton, who is chairing the Australian Medical Association's committee, said that the parents who have one or two children have 48% less chances to get affected. Benefit factor gets increased with more children, as parents having three or more children have 61% less chances to get affected by flu.

"Parents have to be fairly selfless in looking after their kids - maybe there is a psychological protection as well that releases other protective factors", further affirmed Morton.

Sheldon Cohen, who was involved in the study, said that one thing to be noted is that young parents might be an exception, as they have more stress of parenting and do not have much support.