Unmasking the Flu: Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions About Seasonal Influenza
Did you know that every year the flu causes a substantial burden on the health of American citizens? The reason is quite simple, people believe many myths and misconceptions about the flu that keep them from learning about the best way to prevent the infection and keep themselves and others around them safe. Learn the 5 most common myths and misconceptions about seasonal influenza in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.
5 Myths about flu debunked
Here are some myths about the flu that many people believe are true, but they are not, including:
- Flu is the same as cold which is harmless. (False):
Seasonal flu has the characteristics of causing similar symptoms like high fever, cough, chills, muscle and joint pain, stuffy nose, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and headaches and is often treated in similar ways.
However, colds are mild and last longer while flu develops suddenly and lasts for 2 and 3 days. Flu can be severe and more contagious. In severe cases, it can lead to complications that require hospitalization and even cause death.
- Flu isn’t a life-threatening disease. (False):
Flu can be severe and life-threatening for certain people, including:
- Babies or children (under 4 years old).
- Anyone who is 65 years old or older.
- Pregnant women/women who’re trying to get pregnant/breastfeeding women.
- Anyone with a weakened immune system.
- Anyone with a chronic health condition.
- Anyone who works long-term in a care center such as nurses, health workers, etc.
Besides these high-risk populations, children and young people with no risk factors can also develop complications. Studies show that patients hospitalized with influenza who aren’t vaccinated are 2 to 3 times more at risk of dying from it than those people who are vaccinated.
Healthcare workers are more prone to getting infected due to their contact with patients. Similarly, people with chronic health illnesses are more at risk of death if they get infected. That’s why vaccination is crucial for these people because it helps to prevent severe cases or problems related to flu. Additionally, it lowers your chance of getting hospitalized. Even if you aren’t at elevated risk, you should still get a flu vaccine to protect everyone around you if you get infected.
- The vaccine causes flu. (False):
Influenza vaccines can’t cause flu because it is made from an inactivated virus that can’t transmit infection. That’s the reason they are safe and have been used for decades.
When flu vaccination is given, it takes your body around 2 weeks after being vaccinated to be protected, during that time if a person is infected by influenza or other respiratory viruses that may cause flu-like symptoms.
Even when you can’t get infected with any virus, vaccines cause some side effects because your body responds in the same way to vaccines as it responds to any other virus. So, you may experience muscle aches, headaches, or even a low fever for a short time. This will misleadingly make you believe that you’ve contracted influenza from the vaccine.
While it is true, that the flu vaccine protects you from getting infected with the flu, however, the vaccine’s main purpose is to protect from the main types of influenza virus, not other types of viruses that cause flu. So, you could get infected with the flu and sometimes even before you get the vaccine. You may be infected with another type of flu that the vaccine doesn’t cover. However, you may experience milder symptoms due to the flu shot.
To lower your risk of getting infected with the flu, you can do certain things, including:
- Wash your hands often, especially when coming from outside or visiting a crowded place.
- Use household cleaning spray to disinfect surfaces and objects that you commonly touch.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue or handkerchief when you are about to sneeze and cough.
- Use hand sanitizer to clean hands if there is no water or soap.
- Washing laundry of sick people separate from other clothes.
- Keep your children away, especially newborns, from people who are sick.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women can’t get the flu vaccine. (False):
That’s not true, you can get the flu shot even when you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. People who are pregnant are more prone to get infected with the flu and need to be hospitalized for treatment. The flu shot is safe for both the mother and her baby.
However, if you don’t take the flu shot and develop the flu, you could give it to your baby. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine to lower your symptoms or suggest another form of feeding until you get better.
Seasonal flu is commonly found in the winter season and affects many people. While most people recover on their own, some people develop severe complications which can be life-threatening. That’s why avoid myths and misconceptions about seasonal influenza, take the flu vaccine each year, and follow prevention tips to keep yourself and others around you safe and healthy.
If you need help with flu and other respiratory illnesses, visit our infectious diseases specialists in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Our infectious disease doctors make sure your condition gets diagnosed and treated properly. For more information or to make an appointment, call us to get a consultation. Call us on +1-347-384-5690. If you need any information on infections, log on to www.doralhw.org to get a consultation. We have the best doctors that can help you and improve your quality of life!