The Truth and Myths About the Flu

Solantic, a leading provider of walk-in urgent care across Florida, is urging people to protect themselves from the flu by knowing the facts about the illness.

Dr. Nathan Newman, Solantic's chief medical officer, says there are many myths surrounding this highly contagious illness.

"Many people have heard old-wives' tales about the flu," says Dr. Newman. "Some of them don't get flu shots because of these myths, and they risk catching the flu, a serious illness that results in more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year.  The flu vaccine is the best line of defense against the virus."

These myths - and the truths behind them - include:

• "You can come down with the flu from getting a flu shot."
  

"One of the most common myths is that people can get the flu from the flu shot," said Newman.  "The flu shot is made with killed organisms, so you cannot get the flu from the flu shot.  A few percent of people experience some minor side effects, but it is impossible to get the flu from the flu shot."
 

• "Only people who live in cold climates get the flu."
  

"Cold weather does not cause the flu.  The flu is a virus spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes or speaks, sending the virus into the air.  Other people inhale the virus and contract the flu.  The temperature outside has no bearing on the transmission of the flu virus," Newman said.
 

• "There are no medicines that will help once you get the flu."
  

"Because the flu is a virus, antibiotics will not help once you catch the flu," says Newman. "Antiviral medications can shorten the flu's duration and reduce its severity. However, these prescription-only medications must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms."

• "Adults with upset stomachs have the stomach flu."
  

"People often mistake stomach viruses for the flu," said Newman.  "Children may have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea with the flu, but it is uncommon for those symptoms to appear in adults.  Upset stomachs are most likely caused by other viruses, not the flu."
 

• "Feed a cold, starve a fever."
  

"It is always important to drink plenty of fluids and eat sensibly when you are feeling sick, but eating a lot will not cure the flu," Newman said.

• "The flu vaccine is only for the elderly and young children."
  

"It is important for everyone, unless they have an allergy to it, to get the flu shot because anyone can get the flu at any age," said Newman.  "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seniors and children are more susceptible to the flu, but everyone should get the vaccine to protect themselves, their family and their community from influenza," said Newman.
 

• "People who got flu shots last year don't need to get them this year."
  

"Flu shots are necessary each year because flu viruses change from year to year," said Newman. "Every year, experts from the World Health Organization study thousands of flu virus samples to forecast the viruses that are most likely to make the most people sick during the next flu season.  In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration then determines the influenza virus strains to be included in that year's flu vaccine."

• "People who already had the flu this year don't need the flu shot."
  

"There are different strains of the flu virus circulating each flu season that can each cause a person to get the flu," says Newman.  "People who have had one type of the flu can still get another strain of the virus, so it is important to get the flu vaccine, which protects people from three different strains of the virus."