Season of colds and flu: 8 common myths debunked

Many people love autumn for colorful foliage and pumpkin spicebut each year he opens another more threatening season: cold and flu season, C & # 39; is.

The two diseases are often grouped together, but there are important distinctions. And in terms of prevention and treatment, many misconceptions are circulating.

Here, the experts separate the facts from the myth and elucidate eight misconceptions about colds and flu.

Myth 1: The flu is a bad cold

Although some people use the words cold and flu interchangeably, they are actually very different. The flu is a much more serious disease than colds.

"People need to understand that flu is serious and can become life-threatening," Dr. Melissa Stockwell, associate professor of pediatrics and family and family health at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center told CBS News. "The CDC has released data on the latest influenza season 80,000 Americans died of the flu. "

While some of symptoms of colds and flu may overlap, experts say the big way to tell the difference is how they start. The cold tends to manifest gradually, while the flu often gives you the impression of being hit by a bus.

"With the flu, it hits you very hard, very suddenly," said Dr. Alan Taege, an infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic. "You suddenly feel as if something has happened today, you feel sore, you are tired and your symptoms are more serious."

The flu usually accompanies a high fever of 102 to 104 degrees F. With most colds, you will not have a high fever, Taege said.

Myth 2: You can be vaccinated against the flu

Some people delay or refuse to be vaccinated against influenza because they are afraid of catching the flu. This is simply not possible, explain the experts.

"The flu shot is not a live virus," Taege said. "You can not be infected by the vaccine himself. "

Some people may have mild symptoms after a vaccine against influenzathis can be attributed to other reasons, he explains.

For example, the influenza vaccine takes two weeks to become fully effective, so it is possible for someone to be exposed to the virus or other germ causing disease during that time or just before getting vaccinated.

It is also possible that the body reacts to the vaccine, leaving some people tired and painful.

"Your immune system recognizes that there is something that should not be there and that it elicits an answer," Taege said.

Myth 3: I had a flu shot last year, so I do not need to get another one.

The CDC recommends that all persons 6 months of age and older be vaccinated against the flu each year. Being vaccinated against flu one year does not make you immune to the next year. flu virus.

An annual flu shot is needed for two reasons. The first is due to the fact that the immune response of the human body following vaccination decreases with time; an annual vaccine is therefore necessary for optimal protection.

Secondly, since different strains of influenza circulate each year and change constantly, influenza vaccine formulation is reviewed and updated annually to track the evolution of the influenza virus.

Myth 4: Vitamin Consumption Can Prevent Colds and Flu

When some people feel a cold, they immediately load vitamin C to "smother it in the egg." Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that vitamins can help prevent colds or the flu.

"It's important to maintain rest, hydration and good nutrition throughout one's life," said Taege, "but you're flooding with vitamins at the moment when you think you're suffering from an illness that does not will not prevent it to the best of our knowledge. "

Some research supports oral intake zinc tablets to help shorten the duration of a cold.

However, Stockwell warns that such supplements can cause side effects such as nausea and gastrointestinal problems and may also interact with other medications. She suggests talking to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements, especially if you are taking other medications.

Myth 5: Exercising while being sick helps you "sweat" germs

Despite claims that it is possible to "sweat" the germs of colds or flu, this notion is simply "just wrong," said Taege.

"To exercise until fatigue with significant effort during illness is not a good idea.This will not make it disappear more quickly," he said. "What you need to do is to be sure that you are stay hydrated and rest. "

Determining if you are fit enough to train depends on a few factors.

If you have a mild cold with upper respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose, Stockwell says that it would probably be OK to exercise, although she recommends take it slowly and stop if the symptoms worsen.

However, if you have lower respiratory symptoms, such as coughing or chest congestion, or if you have a fever, avoid exercising in the gym. Not only will you spread germs to others, but you can make your disease worse.

"With fever, there is a fear of a possible connection with myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle, so it is very important that if you have a fever, you are not working," Stockwell said.

Myth 6: You can still get the flu even if you get the flu shot. It is therefore useless to get vaccinated.

Yes, it is always possible to get sick even if you get vaccinated. However, this is not a reason to ignore the vaccine. Experts say that protection is preferable to none.

The influenza vaccine is formulated each year to match the strains of the virus that, according to health authorities, are most likely to circulate in the coming months.

"Every year, scientists have a clearer idea of ​​what they think of the strains that will circulate," said Stockwell. "They do this by examining the other hemisphere, which contracts the flu at the opposite time of the year, and by looking at the trends." Often, it's a good match, but sometimes it's not easy. 39 is not the best. "

You may be infected with influenza if a strain different from that included in the vaccine circulates in circulation that year. However, even if in a year when the the vaccine is not a good matchit still offers the best available protection against the flu.

"What I say to my patients is that even a low efficiency is better than zero percent, and if you do not get vaccinated at all, your effectiveness is practically nil," Stockwell said.

In addition, research shows that people who get the flu have less severe symptoms if they are vaccinated than those who are not.

Myth 7: going out in cold weather without a coat will give you the flu

Although cold and flu-like illnesses are more common in winter, the cold temperature has nothing to do with whether you fall ill or not.

"Being out in the cold really does not have any direct influence," Taege said. "There must be some exposure to the virus so if you have not been in contact with a sick person or with the virus itself, go outside without an appropriate jacket and hat. at 10 degrees F will make you cold, but that's not going to give you the flu. "

Myth 8: I am young and healthy, so I do not need to be vaccinated against the flu

The flu can strike anyone at any age and cause serious illness. While complications are more common in very young children, very old people and people with compromised immune systems, healthy young people can still be affected.

"As we have seen with recent flu waves in recent years, young people are severely affected and some have died," said Taege.

Being vaccinated against the flu does not only protect you, it also helps protect others by reducing the risk of spreading the virus to more vulnerable populations such as babies and young children, older adults and people with HIV. some chronic diseases.

What else can you do to avoid getting sick?

In addition to being vaccinated against the flu, the CDC recommends the following measures to prevent illness in this cold and flu season:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and lukewarm water. If soap is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Try to avoid contact with sick people.

• If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.

• If you have the flu, stay at home for at least 24 hours after leaving your fever, except for medical attention or other necessities.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as germs spread this way.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw away the tissue.