Each yr, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between three and 11 percentage of Americans become sick from the flu. Some people only experience balmy symptoms, merely many others develop complications of the flu, some of which can be mortiferous. Because influenza is so widespread and manifests differently in different people, myths most the flu abound. Is what you hear true, or is there likewise much misinformation floating around? Debunk the seven well-nigh common myths about flu.

Myths Nigh the Flu

  1. "Getting Vaccinated Can Requite You the Flu"
    According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, there is no manner the vaccine tin can brand y'all sick. Vaccines but contain a weakened or inactivated form of the flu virus, which cannot infect you. The truth is that people often mistake the side furnishings of the vaccine for the affliction itself. Side effects of inoculation may feel like mild symptoms of the flu, but soreness effectually the injection site is typically the just symptom people feel. Keep in mind that flu flavor (which by and large lasts from October to March) coincides with a time of year when germs that cause colds and other respiratory illnesses are in the air. It is possible to get the vaccine and so get sick with a completely unrelated cold virus within a few days.
  2. "There Is No Treatment for the Flu"
    There are 4 FDA-approved antiviral drugs that are highly effective confronting the influenza. Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is available in pill and liquid form, Relenza (zanamivir) comes in pulverisation form, which is inhaled, Rapivab (peramivir) is administered intravenously, and Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) is available in pill form. While these antiviral medications do not cure the viral infection, they can minimize symptoms, reduce the amount of time you are sick by one or two days, and make you lot less contagious to others. Furthermore, early on treatment can foreclose complications of the flu, like pneumonia, which can exist especially unsafe for older adults. It's best to accept these drugs within 48 hours of getting sick, so do not hesitate to make a dr.'s appointment if y'all or a loved one accept symptoms of the flu.
  3. "Antibiotics Tin can Fight the Flu"
    Antibiotics but fight bacterial infections. Since influenza is a virus, antibiotics take no effect. Furthermore, overuse and misuse of antibiotics can result in reduced effectiveness against the leaner they are actually intended to kill and even crusade "superbugs" that are entirely resistant to these treatments.
  4. "You Tin't Become the Flu More Than One time During Flu Flavor"
    You can certainly contract the influenza more than once a year because there are many different strains of the influenza virus. In that location are ii chief types of flu, Type A and Blazon B, and there are likewise many unlike subtypes of each. It is possible that you could get infected with one strain and then another during a given season, especially if you oasis't been vaccinated and/or take a compromised immune system.
  5. "If You're Young and Good for you, You Don't Need to Become the Flu Vaccine"
    The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months of age get vaccinated each season. Healthy adults are simply equally susceptible to the virus as other demographics, and vaccination is the all-time manner to forbid the influenza. If y'all are caring for an aging loved one, merely getting them vaccinated simply provides some protection. You and other family unit members should besides get the vaccine to avoid endangering their health and the wellness of other vulnerable individuals.
  6. "Cold Conditions Causes the Flu"
    The influenza virus actually circulates and infects people year-circular. Contrary to pop belief, going outside during wintertime without bundling upward does not straight increase your risk of getting sick. Influenza peaks in autumn and wintertime for a few different reasons. Scientists speculate that the flu virus thrives in cooler, low-humidity environments. Of course, during the colder months, people tend to spend more than time cooped up indoors, making it easier for the virus to spread from person to person. Furthermore, less time spent outside means that most people experience drops in vitamin D production during wintertime that can weaken the immune organisation. All these factors contribute to the timing of flu season, which is the same throughout the whole country, even in warmer states like Florida.
  7. "If You Haven't Gotten a Flu Shot by November, It's Too Late"
    Flu season ofttimes peaks between December and February, just the timing tin vary. Some years heightened influenza activity has lasted until May. No thing how late information technology is, if you lot take not been vaccinated yet, go get it done. You could spare yourself and your family a cracking bargain of misery.

The Facts: How to Prevent Seasonal Influenza

Influenza spreads from person to person, ofttimes through droplets in the air, and you tin can pass on the infection even before you brainstorm feeling symptoms. An infected individual is as well contagious for several days after the onset of symptoms. Infection can stalk from a contagious person near you coughing, sneezing or talking, or fifty-fifty from touching a surface that the virus is on, like a telephone or doorknob, and and then touching your mouth or nose.

To avert contracting and spreading the virus, employ the following tips:

  • Clean your hands regularly with lather and water or an alcohol-based mitt sanitizer. This is specially important after yous touch a sick person, common surfaces, used tissues or dirty laundry.
  • Individuals with the flu should cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when cough and sneezing to avoid spreading the virus to others.
  • Immediately throw away tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person.
  • Once diagnosed, talk to a healthcare provider near taking antiviral medication to preclude the virus from spreading to other family members, coworkers or friends.
  • Go along high-traffic surfaces like bedside tables, bathroom surfaces, doorknobs and children'due south toys make clean by regularly wiping them downwards with a household disinfectant.
  • Do not share eating utensils, dishes or cups with a sick person. These items do not demand to be cleaned separately, but they should not exist shared without washing thoroughly start.
  • Wash linens (such every bit bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry detergent and tumble dry on a hot setting. Use a basket to transport laundry prior to washing to prevent contaminating yourself.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to minimize the likelihood of contracting the flu and other viral infections.