Flu Myths

Dec 11, 2020 | 0 comments

The flu, or influenza, is a viral infection. It occurs in your respiratory (breathing) area and affects your throat, lungs, and nose.

There are a lot of myths surrounding the flu. A myth is something that a group of people has come to believe is true, but it is not. For example, some people think that the flu is the same thing as the stomach flu. This is a myth. The stomach flu, or stomach virus, is a different infection. It is caused by other viruses or problems, such as norovirus or food poisoning.

A lot of people also question the flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts out influenza vaccine recommendations every year. Except for rare cases, the CDC states that everyone over the age of 6 months should get the annual flu vaccine. Flu shots are given by injection with a needle or by nasal spray (LAIV4).

What are the most common flu myths?

Myth #1: The flu is the same thing as a cold, and it is harmless.

It is common to confuse the flu with a cold. Both have similar symptoms and often treated with similar methods. However, colds are mild and last longer. The flu usually occurs suddenly and lasts 2 to 3 days. The flu also is contagious and can be dangerous.

Symptoms of the flu include:

Fever of 102°F or higher.
Chills and sweats.
Nausea and vomiting.
Muscle aches and headaches.
Chest pain.
Stuffy nose.
Loss of appetite.

Myth #2: You cannot die from the flu.

People who have severe cases of the flu or are high risk can die from the flu. High-risk people include:

Babies or children up to 4 years old.
Anyone 65 years of age or older.
Women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Anyone who has a low or weakened immune system.
Anyone who has a chronic health condition.
Anyone who lives in in a long-term care center.

These people are at greater risk of having health problems that lead to death. It is even more important that they receive an annual flu vaccine. It prevents severe cases or problems related to flu. It also lowers their chance of hospitalization.

If you are not high risk, you still should get a flu vaccine. It protects everyone around you. This is especially true if you work in health care or care for high-risk people.

Myth #3: You will not get the flu if you get the flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine helps to prevent the flu. Every year, its purpose is to protect you from the main types of influenza. However, you still can get the flu. You could have been infected with the flu before you got the vaccine. You also could get another type of flu that the vaccine does not cover. Most likely, you will have a milder case than if you had not gotten the flu shot.

There are other things you can do to lower your risk of getting the flu. These include:

Washing your hands often.
Covering your mouth when you sneeze and cough.
Using household cleaning spray to disinfect surfaces and objects.
Using hand sanitizer.
Washing laundry of sick people separate from other items.
Keeping your children, especially newborns, away from anyone who is sick.

Myth #4: You will not get the flu if you take vitamin C.

Vitamins cannot prevent the flu.

Myth #5: The flu vaccine will give you the flu.

You cannot get the flu from a flu shot. This form of vaccine is made up of dead viruses that cannot infect you. The nasal spray flu vaccine is made up of live but weakened viruses. They will not give you the flu, either.

Even though you cannot get the flu from the vaccine, you can have side effects. The area of the shot could be red, sore, or swollen. You also may have muscle aches, headaches, or a low fever for a short period of time. These effects occur when your body responds to fight the new virus. You also can have flu-like symptoms from other health issues, such as a bad cold.

Myth #6: You should not get the flu vaccine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It is important to get the flu shot if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. The flu shot is safe for you and your baby.

If you do not get the flu shot and develop the flu, you could give it to your baby. You might be prescribed antiviral medicine to reduce symptoms and need to find another form of feeding until you are better.

Myth #7: You should not get the flu vaccine if you have an egg allergy.

The amount of egg allergen in the flu vaccine is very small. It is safe for people with egg allergies, even kids, to get the flu shot. Serious allergic reactions are rare.

Myth #8: You do not need to get the flu vaccine if you are healthy.

It is good to live a healthy lifestyle, but it cannot prevent the flu. It is an infection that spreads easily. Everyone over 6 months of age should get the flu vaccine, except for rare cases.

Myth #9: You should not get the flu shot if you are sick or already have had the flu.

It is okay to get the flu vaccine when you have a mild sickness. However, you might need to wait until you are better. It also is okay to get the flu shot if you have cancer.

You still should get the flu shot if you have already had the flu. The flu vaccine protects you against several types of the virus.

Myth #10: You do not need to get the flu vaccine every year.

The flu is caused by the influenza virus, which can change from year to year. Because of this, the flu vaccine is modified to protect against the main types of flu. You should get the flu vaccine every year at the beginning of the flu season. Flu season occurs in the colder months of year, typically October to May.

Myth #11: Getting the flu vaccine more than once a year will decrease your chance of getting the flu even more.

There is no research that multiple flu vaccines in one year will lower your chance of getting the flu. However, some kids or older adults may need two doses of the flu vaccine. This depends on your age and medical history. Talk to us to see if you should receive two doses.

Myth #12: You should wait until later in the flu season to get the vaccine. Then you will be protected longer.

The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine as soon as it is ready at the beginning of flu season. It can take up to 2 weeks for your body to build protection against the flu. You should get the shot before the flu becomes more contagious. However, it still is better to get the flu shot late than not at all.

Things to consider

There are rare cases where you should not get the flu shot. You should not get the vaccine if you have Guillain-Barré syndrome. This is a condition that affects your nerves. Some people also have severe reactions or adverse side effects to the flu vaccine. Let us know if this includes you.

Most cases of the flu go can be treated at home and will go away on their own. Make sure you drink a lot of liquids and get extra rest. Adults can take aspirin, ibuprofen, or over-the-counter flu medicine to reduce symptoms. Check with us first before giving your child any medicine to treat the flu.

If symptoms continue or if you are at high risk, us right away. We can perform an exam and order tests to confirm influenza or rule it out.

Signs that the flu is getting worse include:

Prolonged, high fever.
Troubled breathing.
Skin color turning blue (babies).
Constant chest pain or pressure.
Changes in mental state, such as not waking up or acting confused or disoriented.
Continued vomiting.
Severe sinus pain in your face.
Swollen glands in your neck or jaw.
Earaches or drainage.