Get the Truth Behind Common Cold and Flu Myths

Cold and Flu Myths

People share myths about colds and flu through generations, from social media posts to age-old family remedies. Our brains naturally seek patterns - if someone gets sick after being out in cold weather, we might connect these events even when they aren't related.

Many common beliefs about colds and flu contain a mix of truth and misunderstanding. For example, chicken soup can help with congestion due to its warm steam and salt content, but this doesn't mean it fights the virus itself. Cultural traditions and family remedies often start with helpful practices but become wrapped in inaccurate explanations over time.

The science of viral infections and immune responses involves multiple systems in our bodies. When faced with this complexity, people often gravitate toward simpler explanations. But these misconceptions about colds and flu can affect health decisions.

Someone might rely on unproven treatments instead of seeking medical care for severe symptoms. While focusing on avoiding cold weather or taking specific supplements, people might overlook practices that prevent virus transmission, such as handwashing and vaccination.

Understanding how these myths develop helps us recognize them and make informed decisions about cold and flu prevention and treatment.

Myth #1: You can get sick from going out in the cold with wet hair

"Don't go outside with wet hair - you'll catch your death of cold!" This warning echoes through homes as temperatures drop. The belief that cold temperatures and wet hair lead to illness persists across cultures and generations. People often point to their own experiences of getting sick after being caught in the rain or spending time in cold weather.

This connection between cold weather and illness emerged because respiratory infections increase during winter months. People observed this pattern and drew a direct line between temperature and sickness. However, winter brings changes beyond temperature - people spend more time indoors, often in spaces with poor ventilation and close contact with others carrying viruses.

Research shows that viruses, not temperatures, cause colds and flu. While being cold might cause physical stress, this alone doesn't create infection. A person needs exposure to cold or flu viruses to become sick.

Myth #2: You should feed a fever and starve a cold

Feed a fever and starve a cold? Or is it the other way around? This centuries-old advice about eating during illness confuses many people. The saying suggests different eating patterns can treat different illnesses, with some versions recommending fasting for fevers while others advise the opposite.

This belief originated in the 1500s, when doctors thought colds resulted from a drop in body temperature. The theory suggested eating would "fuel" a fever, helping the body burn out infection. These ideas aligned with ancient medical practices that treated illness by balancing hot and cold elements within the body - with food serving as one way to restore this balance.

Research shows the body needs consistent nutrition to fight any infection. Eating provides energy for immune system function, regardless of whether symptoms include fever or cold. While appetite often changes during illness, maintaining regular eating habits and staying hydrated supports recovery. The immune system requires energy to produce cells and proteins that fight infection, making regular nutrition important for both colds and fevers.

Myth #3: You're not contagious if you don't have a fever

If you have a fever, you certainly shouldn’t be spending time at work or at school. But many people rely on fever as the only indicator of whether they might spread illnesses to others. However, normal temperature readings aren’t the only thing you need consider when you’re looking to prevent the spread of upper respiratory infections.

Temperature screening policies at schools, workplaces, and public spaces - particularly during the pandemic - reinforced this misconception. When fever checks became standard practice for entry to buildings and events, people began to view temperature as the main measure of contagiousness. As symptoms improve and fever subsides, people often assume they can no longer spread illness.

Studies show viruses spread before, during, and after fever appears. Many contagious illnesses never cause fever, yet still pass from person to person. For both colds and flu, the period of highest contagiousness often occurs before obvious symptoms develop. People can transmit viruses even when feeling well enough to return to regular activities, highlighting why temperature alone doesn't indicate whether someone might spread illness.

Myth #4: Antibiotics can be used to treat a cold or the flu

One of the most common questions heard in an urgent care clinic during cold and flu season is, “Can you write me a prescription for some antibiotics?” Many people view antibiotics as a solution for respiratory symptoms, with some even saving leftover prescriptions for future illnesses. The belief that antibiotics speed recovery from colds and flu remains widespread.

This misconception developed alongside antibiotics' success in treating bacterial infections. People who recovered from strep throat or other bacterial illnesses after taking antibiotics began expecting similar results for all respiratory symptoms. Some healthcare providers previously prescribed antibiotics for viral infections when patients insisted, reinforcing this belief.

Research demonstrates that antibiotics target bacteria, not the viruses responsible for colds and flu. Using antibiotics for viral infections provides no benefit and contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While medications can help manage cold and flu symptoms, viral infections resolve through the body's immune response rather than antibiotic treatment. Understanding the difference between bacterial and viral infections helps explain why antibiotics work for some illnesses but not others.

Myth #5: The flu is just a serious cold

Common symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and congestion lead many people to view colds and flu as variations of the same illness. The widespread habit of describing any respiratory infection as "the flu" reinforces this misunderstanding. When feeling under the weather, people often diagnose themselves without distinguishing between these distinct viral infections.

This confusion develops because both illnesses affect the respiratory system and share several symptoms. The casual use of "flu" in everyday language - "stomach flu" for digestive issues or "summer flu" for seasonal colds - blurs the distinction between these infections. People experiencing a severe cold might assume they have the flu, while those with mild flu symptoms might dismiss it as a cold.

Rhinoviruses cause most colds, while influenza viruses cause the flu. Flu symptoms typically emerge rapidly and create more intense effects than colds. While colds rarely lead to serious health problems, the flu can cause severe complications, particularly in older adults, young children, and people with underlying health conditions. Understanding these differences helps explain why flu prevention and treatment often require different approaches than managing a cold.

Myth #7: The flu shot gives you the flu

Many people decline flu vaccines based on past experiences of feeling ill after receiving the shot. The belief that vaccines cause flu persists when someone develops a fever or body aches following vaccination. This perception strengthens when others share similar experiences of getting sick after their flu shot.

This misconception stems from the timing of flu vaccination programs, which often coincide with the rise of seasonal respiratory illnesses. Normal immune responses to vaccination - like temporary fatigue or arm soreness - can feel similar to early illness symptoms. When someone catches an unrelated cold around the time of their flu shot, they often attribute their symptoms to the vaccine.

Research demonstrates flu vaccines contain inactivated virus particles that cannot cause infection. Studies show vaccine side effects differ from actual flu symptoms. While some people experience fatigue or soreness at the injection site for 24-48 hours after vaccination, these reactions indicate the body's immune system building protection. A low-grade fever might develop as part of this response, but this differs from the high fevers and severe symptoms that characterize actual flu infections.

Have a Healthier Cold and Flu Season

Understanding how cold and flu viruses spread allows you to take steps that support your health during respiratory virus season.

• Regular handwashing removes viruses from your hands before they reach your nose or mouth.
• Getting enough sleep helps your body maintain its natural defenses. Adults who sleep less than six hours per night show increased susceptibility to viruses.
• Physical activity and time outdoors support immune function, even in cold weather.
• Some supplements can help support your immune system. Talk to your primary care doctor about supplements that may be beneficial to you.
• Get the flu vaccine this year. The flu vaccine reduces your chance of catching influenza and lowers the risk of serious complications if you do get sick. Each year's vaccine targets the specific strains predicted to circulate that season

To minimize virus spread, stay home when you notice symptoms. Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or your elbow rather than your hands. Regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces removes viruses before they spread to others.

MedHelp clinics in Birmingham offer flu vaccines with no appointment needed. Insurance plans typically cover flu shots, and our staff can verify your coverage during your visit.

If you develop symptoms of a cold or flu, MedHelp's physicians help you understand your illness and create a plan to manage your symptoms. Our clinics provide care for respiratory infections seven days a week, with convenient hours that work around your schedule. Walk in any time - we'll help you feel better.