Each year, the Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that betwixt three and xi percentage of Americans get sick from the flu. Some people only experience mild symptoms, but many others develop complications of the flu, some of which can exist mortiferous. Because influenza is and then widespread and manifests differently in dissimilar people, myths about the flu grow. Is what you hear truthful, or is there too much misinformation floating around? Debunk the seven most common myths well-nigh influenza.

Myths About the Influenza

  1. "Getting Vaccinated Can Requite You the Flu"
    According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, there is no way the vaccine can brand y'all sick. Vaccines only comprise a weakened or inactivated grade of the influenza virus, which cannot infect you. The truth is that people often error the side effects of the vaccine for the disease itself. Side effects of inoculation may experience like mild symptoms of the influenza, simply soreness around the injection site is typically the only symptom people experience. Keep in heed that flu season (which mostly 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 so get sick with a completely unrelated cold virus within a few days.
  2. "There Is No Treatment for the Flu"
    At that place are 4 FDA-canonical antiviral drugs that are highly effective confronting the influenza. Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is available in pill and liquid form, Relenza (zanamivir) comes in powder form, which is inhaled, Rapivab (peramivir) is administered intravenously, and Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) is available in pill grade. While these antiviral medications do not cure the viral infection, they can minimize symptoms, reduce the amount of fourth dimension yous are ill by one or two days, and make y'all less contagious to others. Furthermore, early handling can foreclose complications of the flu, similar pneumonia, which tin can be particularly dangerous for older adults. It's all-time to take these drugs within 48 hours of getting sick, so practice not hesitate to brand a physician's appointment if you or a loved 1 have symptoms of the influenza.
  3. "Antibiotics Can Fight the Flu"
    Antibiotics only fight bacterial infections. Since influenza is a virus, antibiotics have no upshot. Furthermore, overuse and misuse of antibiotics tin result in reduced effectiveness against the bacteria they are actually intended to kill and even cause "superbugs" that are entirely resistant to these treatments.
  4. "Yous Tin't Get the Influenza More than Than Once During Flu Season"
    You tin certainly contract the flu more than once a yr because in that location are many dissimilar strains of the influenza virus. There are 2 main types of flu, Type A and Type B, and in that location are likewise many unlike subtypes of each. It is possible that yous could become infected with i strain and then some other during a given season, especially if you oasis't been vaccinated and/or have a compromised immune organization.
  5. "If You lot're Young and Healthy, You Don't Need to Get the Flu Vaccine"
    The CDC recommends that anybody over half-dozen months of age get vaccinated each season. Healthy adults are just as susceptible to the virus as other demographics, and vaccination is the all-time way to prevent the flu. If you lot are caring for an aging loved i, simply getting them vaccinated simply provides some protection. Y'all and other family members should also get the vaccine to avert endangering their wellness and the health of other vulnerable individuals.
  6. "Cold Atmospheric condition Causes the Flu"
    The influenza virus actually circulates and infects people yr-round. Contrary to popular belief, going outside during winter without bundling upwardly does non straight increase your run a risk of getting sick. Influenza peaks in fall and winter for a few unlike reasons. Scientists speculate that the flu virus thrives in cooler, low-humidity environments. Of course, during the colder months, people tend to spend more time cooped up indoors, making it easier for the virus to spread from person to person. Furthermore, less fourth dimension spent exterior means that most people experience drops in vitamin D production during wintertime that tin weaken the immune system. All these factors contribute to the timing of flu flavour, which is the same throughout the whole land, even in warmer states like Florida.
  7. "If You lot Haven't Gotten a Flu Shot by Nov, It'south Too Late"
    Flu season ofttimes peaks betwixt December and Feb, just the timing tin can vary. Some years heightened flu action has lasted until May. No thing how late it is, if you accept not been vaccinated yet, go get it washed. You lot could spare yourself and your family a great deal of misery.

The Facts: How to Prevent Seasonal Influenza

Influenza spreads from person to person, often through droplets in the air, and you can pass on the infection even earlier you lot brainstorm feeling symptoms. An infected private is also contagious for several days after the onset of symptoms. Infection can stem from a contagious person near you cough, sneezing or talking, or fifty-fifty from touching a surface that the virus is on, like a telephone or doorknob, and then touching your oral fissure or nose.

To avoid contracting and spreading the virus, use the following tips:

  • Clean your easily regularly with soap and water or an booze-based hand sanitizer. This is especially important after you lot bear upon a sick person, common surfaces, used tissues or dingy laundry.
  • Individuals with the flu should cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing 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 virtually taking antiviral medication to prevent the virus from spreading to other family members, coworkers or friends.
  • Keep high-traffic surfaces like bedside tables, bathroom surfaces, doorknobs and children's toys clean past regularly wiping them down with a household disinfectant.
  • Exercise not share eating utensils, dishes or cups with a sick person. These items do not need to exist cleaned separately, but they should non be shared without washing thoroughly first.
  • Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry detergent and tumble dry on a hot setting. Utilise a handbasket to transport laundry prior to washing to prevent contaminating yourself.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, olfactory organ and rima oris to minimize the likelihood of contracting the flu and other viral infections.