You take your vitamin C tablets daily and you wash your hands constantly, however, you still get sick. Sometimes even the most cautious people can become sick, due to the myths misunderstood by others. Many of these myths pertaining to the common cold and flu are still believed by many today. You would be surprised how many people still believe you can catch the flu from the flu vaccine, but I digress…Here are the 7 most common cold and flu myths. 

The flu vaccine will cause the flu

False. Many people wrongly believe that you can catch the flu from the flu vaccine. A belief that unsettles many nurses and doctors who strongly encourage the flu vaccine. This myth still exists, possibly because the temporary side effects of the vaccine may slightly mimic the flu. These side effects can include redness and tenderness at the site of injection, soreness, muscle aches, and a low-grade fever. Although they will subside shortly after. 

The flu shot provides 100% protection

False. The flu shot is said to protect against about 70 to 80 percent of flu viruses. While these odds are far better than not receiving the shot, it is not guaranteed protection. The vaccine protects people from H3N2, H1N1, and influenza B. It is still possible to get the flu even with the flu shot, however, upon receiving the shot, your odds are significantly reduced. The number of people who receive the flu shot and still get the flu is very low in comparison to the number of people who don’t get the flu shot and get the flu. 

Cough into your hands 

False. One of the worst places to cough, besides not covering your mouth, is your hands. Your hands touch everything. On any given day you will touch many surfaces, including doorknobs, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, coffee machines, etc. If you cough into your hands, you are then transforming your germs onto other objects. If you accidentally cough into your hands, be sure to wash your hands immediately or use hand sanitizer. Generally, the best place to cough is into your elbow. 

The flu shouldn’t be taken seriously

False. Even though we hear the words “cold and flu season” every winter, some people brush it off. The common cold is not very dangerous, however, every year there are many deaths related to the flu. Each year in the U.S. hundreds of children lose their life to this virus and many senior citizens have a higher risk of death. Healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses strongly advise parents to protect their children and vaccine them. While there are still cases of children dying from the virus who had the shot, as a parent you would want to do everything you can to protect them. 

Don’t leave the house with wet hair 

False. This is certainly an old myth, as I have been told this one from my parents. They would always say “you’re going to catch a cold” in reference to me leaving the house with wet hair. However, there is no true evidence that having wet hair increases your risk of catching an illness. Uncomfortable yes, but not going to cause you to get sick. If you catch a virus while out in public with wet hair, then that is different. 

A cold can become the flu

False. Even though the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, they stem from different viruses. Therefore, a common cold cannot develop into the flu. This is confusing to some people as they have similar symptoms. The typical flu virus causes symptoms similar to a cold, but far more severe. A person with the flu has extreme body aches, fever, fatigue, and a cough. This is why most people are bedridden for a week. Whereas, a common cold most often produces a runny nose and itchy throat which clears within a few days. 

If you suspect you or a loved one has the flu, you should see a healthcare professional immediately. Especially in children, as the results of the flu can be dire. We hope that the clarification of these myths helps someone in your life who may oppose the flu shot. The more people who learn about the flu shot are more likely to protect themselves and others.