Each twelvemonth, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between three and xi percent of Americans get ill 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 then widespread and manifests differently in different people, myths well-nigh the flu abound. Is what you hear true, or is there too much misinformation floating around? Debunk the seven well-nigh common myths about influenza.

Myths Almost the Flu

  1. "Getting Vaccinated Can Give You the Influenza"
    According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, there is no mode the vaccine can make you lot sick. Vaccines only contain a weakened or inactivated course of the influenza virus, which cannot infect yous. The truth is that people often mistake the side effects of the vaccine for the illness itself. Side effects of inoculation may feel like mild symptoms of the flu, only soreness around the injection site is typically the only symptom people experience. Keep in mind that flu season (which by and large lasts from October to March) coincides with a fourth dimension of yr 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 common cold virus inside a few days.
  2. "In that location Is No Handling for the Flu"
    In that location 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 pulverization grade, which is inhaled, Rapivab (peramivir) is administered intravenously, and Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) is available in pill form. While these antiviral medications do non cure the viral infection, they tin can minimize symptoms, reduce the amount of time y'all are sick by one or ii days, and brand you less contagious to others. Furthermore, early on treatment tin can foreclose complications of the flu, like pneumonia, which tin be especially dangerous for older adults. It'south best to accept these drugs within 48 hours of getting ill, then do not hesitate to make a physician's appointment if you or a loved one have symptoms of the flu.
  3. "Antibiotics Tin can Fight the Influenza"
    Antibiotics but fight bacterial infections. Since influenza is a virus, antibiotics have no effect. Furthermore, overuse and misuse of antibiotics can 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. "You lot Can't Become the Influenza More Than Once During Flu Flavor"
    You can certainly contract the flu more than one time a year because there are many unlike strains of the influenza virus. There are two primary types of flu, Type A and Type B, and in that location are besides many different subtypes of each. It is possible that you could go infected with one strain and and so another during a given flavour, peculiarly if you haven't been vaccinated and/or have a compromised immune system.
  5. "If You're Young and Healthy, You Don't Demand to Get the Influenza Vaccine"
    The CDC recommends that anybody over 6 months of historic period get vaccinated each season. Salubrious adults are just as susceptible to the virus equally other demographics, and vaccination is the best style to forestall the flu. If y'all are caring for an aging loved one, simply getting them vaccinated just provides some protection. You and other family unit members should besides become the vaccine to avoid endangering their health and the health of other vulnerable individuals.
  6. "Common cold Weather Causes the Flu"
    The influenza virus actually circulates and infects people twelvemonth-round. Contrary to popular belief, going outside during winter without bundling upward does non straight increase your adventure of getting sick. Influenza peaks in fall and winter for a few different reasons. Scientists speculate that the flu virus thrives in cooler, low-humidity environments. Of form, 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 feel drops in vitamin D production during wintertime that tin weaken the immune arrangement. All these factors contribute to the timing of flu flavour, which is the same throughout the whole state, even in warmer states like Florida.
  7. "If Yous Haven't Gotten a Flu Shot by November, Information technology's Too Late"
    Flu season often peaks between December and Feb, but the timing can vary. Some years heightened flu activity has lasted until May. No matter how late it is, if y'all have not been vaccinated all the same, go get it washed. Yous could spare yourself and your family a great deal of misery.

The Facts: How to Prevent Seasonal Flu

Influenza spreads from person to person, often through aerosol in the air, and you can laissez passer on the infection even earlier you lot begin feeling symptoms. An infected individual is too contagious for several days afterward the onset of symptoms. Infection can stem from a contagious person most you lot cough, sneezing or talking, or even from touching a surface that the virus is on, like a telephone or doorknob, and then touching your mouth or nose.

To avoid contracting and spreading the virus, employ the post-obit tips:

  • Clean your easily regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This is especially important after you bear upon a sick person, common surfaces, used tissues or muddied laundry.
  • Individuals with the flu should comprehend their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing and sneezing to avert spreading the virus to others.
  • Immediately throw away tissues and other dispensable items used past an infected person.
  • Once diagnosed, talk to a healthcare provider about taking antiviral medication to prevent the virus from spreading to other family members, coworkers or friends.
  • Go along high-traffic surfaces like bedside tables, bathroom surfaces, doorknobs and children's toys clean by regularly wiping them downwards with a household disinfectant.
  • Do not share eating utensils, dishes or cups with a sick person. These items exercise not demand to be cleaned separately, but they should not 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 basket to send laundry prior to washing to forbid contaminating yourself.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to minimize the likelihood of contracting the flu and other viral infections.