The same irrational belief is common in Germany as well. Cold air is thought to cause things like the common cold and bronchitis.

Some people would feel a slight draft indoors and immediately start yelling for the windows to be closed.

I knew a very wealthy guy in Germany who bought a Mercedes 560SEL - at the time, the top-of-the-line model. He ordered it without air conditioning because he didn't want to get bronchitis.