12 myths about seasonal flu and flu vaccines
/
12 myths about seasonal flu and flu vaccines
Every year when flu season arrives, misinformation and misconceptions about the vaccine, sickness, treatment, and recovery begin circulating. There seems to be no shortage of misunderstandings about avoiding or dealing with this potentially deadly condition. Like most myths about most topics, there are logical answers to dispel the fears many people have concerning influenza.
For those of us who have ever had the flu, you know how sick and miserable it can be. This year, play it smart. Be informed on what is fact and what is fiction. Keep reading to get the facts on12 of the most common misconceptions about the flu.
1. Getting the flu vaccine can cause the flu
This myth circulates every year. The vaccine is made from an inactivated virus that makes it not possible to cause the infection. If a person does get sick shortly after receiving the flu vaccine, they were going to get sick anyway.
2. If you are healthy you don’t need to be vaccinated
Many healthy people might be able to get by without getting vaccinated for the flu but these same people could spread the virus to others who are at risk. This is one reason why health care workers who interact with vulnerable patients, are mandated to get the flu vaccine to protect these patients. It is also based on the “herd immunity” mentality – when a large portion of a community is immunized against a contagious disease, most members of the community are protected against that disease because there is little opportunity for an outbreak. In a nutshell, vaccines can prevent outbreaks of disease and save lives.
3. Once you’ve gotten your flu vaccine, that’s all you need to do to protect yourself from the flu
Even though getting the flu vaccine is a big step in keeping yourself safe from potentially contacting the flu, there are still things you can do for additional protection. Stay away from people who have the flu, wash your hands frequently throughout the day, eat a healthy diet, get in regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
4. The flu is a more severe form of a cold
Flu symptoms may be similar to that of a cold – sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, hoarseness, and cough – but the two illnesses are caused by different viruses. A high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, and muscle aches are more common with the flu. Also in the United States alone, 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 are hospitalized each year because of complications from the flu.
5. If you feel well, you cannot spread the flu
Most healthy adults may be able to infect other people beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body which means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Up to 20% to 30% of people carrying the influenza virus have no symptoms – during this time these people may still spread the virus to others.
6. Going outside in cold winter weather can cause the flu
You may have been warned by your mother to not go outside in cold weather with damp hair or not wearing a warm coat. Since flu season coincides with cold weather, people often associate the flu with a cold environment. However, you can only get the flu by being exposed to the virus that causes it. Exposure to cold temperatures won’t cause the illness.
7. You should feed a cold but starve a fever
The misconception here is that to recover form a viral illness such as a cold, eating more provides relief while eating less is best for a fever which is common in the flu. Unfortunately, there is very little scientific basis for this belief. In either case, you will need more fluids in both a cold and the flu as adequate hydration is important to prevent dehydration. As far as eating, many people often have little to no appetite when they have the flu. But poor nutrition will not help you recover as fast. Try to keep your diet as normal as possible eating more fruits and vegetables.
8. The stomach flu is a type of the flu
Many people associate having digestive symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with the flu and will often refer to it as the stomach flu. However, the flu is a respiratory infection. The illness most people call the stomach flu is a viral gastroenteritis. Both the flu and viral gastroenteritis can be caused by a variety of viruses.
9. An antibiotic may be necessary if you have a high fever with the flu
Since the flu is a viral infection, antibiotics will not work well for the flu since antibiotics are designed to fight off bacterial infections. However, some people may develop a bacterial infection as a complication of the flu. If your symptoms are not getting better or are getting worse, see your doctor to determine if an antibiotic is needed.
10. People with egg allergies cannot get a flu shot
The influenza vaccine is grown in chicken eggs so it does contain trace amounts of egg allergan. But the benefits of getting the flu vaccine far outweigh the risks. However, it is advised to discuss this with your physician. It depends on how allergic you are to eggs. For most people with mild sensitivities to eggs, the flu vaccine shouldn’t be a problem. You could also ask your doctor if the nasal vaccine would be appropriate for you.
11. Pregnant women should not get a flu shot
Not true. The flu vaccine has been determined to be safe and effective for pregnant women after many years of clinical use and research supporting its safety. There is a thimerosol-free version of the flu vaccine available to women who wish to have a preservative-free dose of the vaccine.
12. There is no treatment for the flu
This also is not true. There are antiviral medications available by prescription that can help you recover from the flu. Antiviral medications reduce flu symptoms, prevent flu complications such as pneumonia, and also shorten sick time by one or two days. Ask your doctor about these medications if you get the flu.