Busting 4 common myths about the flu

Which of these common beliefs about the flu are you getting wrong?

This flu season is turning into one of the worst in years.

At least 30 children have died from flu-related causes this flu season. Right now, the flu is widespread in every single state except for Hawaii, some schools are having to close for “flu days” and doctors say we have about another three months left in this intense flu season.

Doctor offices around the country are being flooded with patients with obvious symptoms but some are not testing positive for the flu.  Doctors say it all depends on the test — a certain amount of antigen, or the substance linked to the virus, is needed to get a positive flu result.

“Even if you have Influenza A or B, the viral load might not be enough to pick it up on a swab to yield a false test, but we do have faith in them,” said Dr. Kyle Petersen, with the American Family Care clinic in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida. “We’re still going to give a person treatment when they have those symptoms.”

Health professionals are also setting the record straight on some of the myths and other misunderstandings people are talking about the most when it comes to the flu.

Myth 1: You Can’t Spread The Flu If You Don’t Have Any Symptoms

Fact: Yes, you can.

Doctors say 20 to 30 percent of people carry the flu virus and don’t even know it because they aren’t showing any symptoms.

“You are actually contagious, even sometimes after you’ve been treated for a period of time and your body has fully taken care of the illness,” Dr. Petersen said. “Having no symptoms doesn’t mean you are not a carrier of the flu.”

In fact, people infected with the flu can spread it to others up to 6 feet away. When someone with the flu sneezes, coughs or even talks they can spread the virus.

Myth 2: You Can Catch The Flu From A Flu Shot

Fact: False.

While vaccine contains components of the virus, the strains of the virus are dead or inactivated making it impossible for you to get sick.

“Flu shots are proteins from the flu virus that is not even a live virus. The body sees those proteins and amounts the immune system to be primed and ready to go so that if you do encounter the flu in a later point in time, you can fight the infection quicker with fewer symptoms or less severe symptoms,” Dr. Petersen said.

So the flu shot simply is a booster that helps your body fight off possible infection.

flu shot photo — Getty Images | Joe Raedle

Myth 3: Taking Antibiotics Can Help With The Flu

Fact: Antibiotics do not fight any type of virus.

“Antibiotics are great for bacteria. They don’t do anything against viruses and the flu and common cold is a virus. So antibiotics may make you feel better psychologically, but it’s not going to do anything against the flu,” Dr. Petersen said.

He said antiviral drugs like Tamiflu or Relenza can fight the flu virus and make you feel better.

“But they have to be given in a time period of under two days from when a person starts feeling symptoms for the medicine to be most effective,” said Dr. Petersen. “We might still use them if it’s a severe case, even if it’s not within those two days. And the goal of those medications is to shorten or lessen the severity of the symptoms.”

Dr. Petersen said recovering from the flu also goes beyond the medications prescribed by your doctor.

“The body needs to take the time to heal and fight the viral infection. Get plenty of rest, maintain your hydration with fluids,” he said.

You should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks.

Myth 4: Frequent Travel Exposes You To Potential Flu Germs

Fact: Somewhat true

A study by the International Transportation Association found in-cabin filters eliminate 99.99 percent of germs in the air, however germs will thrive in almost all small, crowded areas, including a bathroom or train.

Click here to read more about how you can prevent yourself and your family from catching the flu.

Symptoms of the flu include:

Fever or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Here’s how to know when you shoul

Written by Alanna Quillen for WPTV News with additional reporting by Simplemost staff.

Health