Anyone who has had a seasonal flu at least once, knows how intense the disease can be. Most likely some of the advice we hear from friends and family about avoiding or treating the flu is wrong.
There seems to be a significant lack of misinformation and a plethora of bad advice on seasonal flu and flu vaccination.
They follow 8 Common Myths About Seasonal Flu.
1. MYTH: You can catch the flu from the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is made from an inactivated virus that can not transmit infection. This means that people who get sick after being vaccinated against the flu, they would get sick anyway. It takes a week or two for the protection that the vaccine provides to begin. But many mistakenly assume that because they got sick after the vaccine, this was what caused their illness.
2. MYTH: Healthy people do not need to be vaccinated
It is especially important for people with chronic illnesses to get the flu vaccine, but everyone - even the healthy ones- can benefit from vaccination. The current guidelines recommend an annual flu vaccine for all people over the age of 6 months, including pregnant women.
3. MYTH: Getting the flu vaccine is all you need to do to protect yourself from the flu
There are many steps you can take to protect yourself during the flu other than getting vaccinated.. Avoid contact with people who have the flu, Wash your hands often and talk to your doctor about taking antiviral medicines if you catch the flu before getting vaccinated..
4. MYTH: You can not spread the flu if you feel well
In fact, the 20% until the 30% of people who carry the flu virus have no symptoms.
5. MYTH: You do not need to get the flu vaccine every year
The flu virus is changing (mutates) each year. So, Getting vaccinated every year is important to make sure you are immune to the strains that are most likely to be released each year..
6. MYTH: You can catch the seasonal flu by going out in cold weather without a coat, with wet hair or if you sit in a stream of air
The only way to prevent the flu is to be exposed to the flu virus. Seasonal flu coincides with cold weather. So, many often associate seasonal flu with a cold, dry environment. But they are not related.
7. MYTH: In colds you should eat well and in fever you should not eat anything
If you have the flu (or cold) and fever, you need more fluids. There is no reason to increase or decrease the amounts you eat. Although you may not have an appetite, you will not achieve anything by not eating. Poor nutrition will not help you get better.
8. MYTH: If you have a high fever from a flu that lasts more than a day or two, you need to take antibiotics
Antibiotics work well against bacteria, but are not effective for a viral infection such as seasonal flu. However, some develop a bacterial infection as a complication of the flu, so it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor who will advise you responsibly.
Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu
