‘Tis the season to get flu-y – or is it?
Colds and flu are two of the most common illnesses people experience each year. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the average adult catches between 2 and 3 colds each year.
The two illnesses have similar symptoms, however the flu is much more serious than a cold and there are key differences between cold and flu symptoms to watch out for. But that’s not the only source of confusion. How many of these common myths about the cold and flu do you believe?
Weather makes you sick
The seasons affect your body in weird ways, but causing a cold isn’t one of them. Being outside in cold weather is not what causes you to come down with a cold. Colds spread through contact with viruses. No matter the weather, unless you are infected from an airborne virus or through contact with a contaminated surface, you will not get sick. Wet hair or dry hair, snowy or sunny, a virus must infect you for you to get sick. However, cold weather could make these viruses more common. According to research by the American Society for Microbiology, rhinoviruses (viruses that cause the common cold) replicate more efficiently at lower temperatures. And a study published in the journal Viruses showed that lower temperatures and decreased humidity both correlated with a higher risk of infection with a cold.
The flu shot can give you the flu
Some people are apprehensive about getting a flu shot because they believe that the flu shot could potentially give them the flu. But this is false. Flu vaccines deliver either a weakened or completely deactivated version of the flu virus. These viruses cannot spread enough to get you sick, according to the CDC.
After a couple days your cold isn’t contagious
Many people believe that you are only contagious at the start of your cold. However, you could still be contagious even near the end. According to the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, you could be contagious until your symptoms disappear. Quarantine yourself accordingly.
Feed a cold, starve a fever
As the popular saying goes, you should “feed a cold, starve a fever.” But you should really be eating and drinking enough water in both scenarios, fever or not. Poor nutrition is not going to help you get better. Nutrients help to support your immune system so that it can function properly while you fight off illness.
You can sweat out a cold or the flu
When sickness gives you chills, you probably feel like you need to bundle up. But once you do, you may still sweat and shiver under the covers. Some believe this might not be so bad, since you can “sweat out” your sickness. But this is false — the American Academy of Pediatrics does not mention sweating or external temperature manipulation as an effective method of combating a fever. And sweating profusely will likely just make you more dehydrated.
Article taken in part from www.msn.com
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Disclaimer
All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.