7 cold and flu myths you should stop believing

The trees are losing leaves, the air is cooler, and the sun sets earlier. Once fall is in full swing, flu season and the rise of other infections, like colds, is also on the way. Before long, it may seem like everyone you know is sick. And sometimes, myths or misconceptions about the flu or colds (things that aren't really true) may make it harder to know what to do, or how to avoid getting sick.  Learn the facts to keep yourself and your family healthy this season.

The flu is a serious illness. Some people develop symptoms so severe they end up in the hospital. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 2010 and 2020, the flu caused between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 to 52,000 deaths each year.

Children younger than 5—especially those younger than 2—and adults older than 65 are more susceptible to becoming seriously ill from the flu. Pregnant people and people with chronic health problems such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes are also at increased risk. Complications from the flu can range from bacterial pneumonia (a deep lung infection caused by bacteria) to ear infections, along with sinus infections and worsening of preexisting medical conditions.

Sometimes people come down with the flu soon after they’ve received a flu vaccine. That’s because the vaccinations can take up to two weeks to work. If someone becomes ill with the flu, it’s most likely because they were exposed to the virus either before or within two weeks of getting the shot. The most common reaction to flu vaccination is redness, swelling, and soreness at the injection site, which goes away in about one or two days.

It is true that the flu shot doesn’t protect against all flu viruses. It only works against the strains scientists estimate to be the most common each year. It is still possible to get sick from another type of flu virus. But if you got a flu shot and still get the flu, you are more likely to have a mild infection and recovery more quickly. So, the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu is to get vaccinated.

Being cold or wet has little to do with whether you develop a cold or the flu. The only way to become infected is to be exposed to a virus.

It’s true that you are more likely to get sick when the weather is cold, but it’s because viruses thrive in cold air. Dry air also sucks moisture out of the nose, making it hospitable for intruding viruses. In colder weather, more people gather inside, and germs are more likely to spread in crowded indoor conditions.

When you’re sick, it's important to maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, and hot tea. This is true even if you do not have a fever. There are no foods or drinks that can cure a cold or the flu. But certain foods can help ease your symptoms. For example, a big bowl of chicken noodle soup can soothe a sore throat and help keep you hydrated. Be sure to get lots of rest, too, and consider using a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to ease congestion and help you breathe easier.

While vitamin C is important for our bodies, there is little scientific proof that it is effective for preventing colds. There is some evidence that when taken regularly in high doses—greater than 200 milligrams a day—vitamin C may shorten the duration of cold symptoms slightly. But keep in mind, trying to get more vitamin C after you are already sick with a cold might not help.

Two large oranges will give you about 200 milligrams of vitamin C. The current recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C is 75 milligrams a day for women and 90 milligrams a day for men.

Your best line of defense against the flu is to get the flu vaccine. The CDC recommends that most people 6 months and older get vaccinated every year. If you have severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine, you should not get that vaccine.  

If you have a history of Guillain Barré Syndrome, check with your healthcare provider (HCP) to see if the flu vaccine is right for you. Flu viruses change each year, so don’t count on last year’s shot to protect you this year.

Colds and flu are both viral infections, but they stem from different viruses. A cold will never turn into the flu. While a cold can make you feel as lousy as the flu, they have different symptoms.

Cold symptoms primarily include a runny or stuffy nose and a sore throat. Flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly and are more severe. They may include the symptoms above, along with fever, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, cough, headaches, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. However not everyone who gets the flu will develop a fever or similar symptoms.

The flu can also lead to pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses, and it typically lasts longer than a common cold. If you suspect you could have influenza, make an appointment to see your HCP.