10 myths about the flu

Cold weather does not cause the flu.

Fasting won't make it disappear any quicker.

And the flu shot, which gets a bad rap in years like this, really is the best way to ward off the virus.

Flu season's still at it's peak, and misperceptions about influenza spread as quickly as the bug itself. Here, we tackle 10 common flu myths -- and give you the answers that can help keep you healthy.

More Coverage Links It's been a tough year for the flu

Myth: The flu is basically a bad cold.

Fact: They're both respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses, but if you've had the flu, you know the difference.

A cold leaves you with a stuffy or runny nose, a productive cough, tiredness and minor body aches, but generally you'll get by with a little help from your over-the-counter pharmacy.

Flu hits much harder with a high fever, muscle aches and pains, chills, weakness, a sore throat and a nonproductive cough. Dragging yourself through a school or workday usually is not an option -- and you should keep your germs to yourself, anyway.

Someone with the flu might need a few weeks to recover, while someone with a cold could bounce back in three to five days, said John Saran, an internal medicine physician with Edward Medical Group in Naperville.

Myth: A flu vaccine can give you the flu.

Fact: Flu shots are not live vaccines. They're composed of killed viral particles.

"There is zero chance you can get an actual flu from the flu vaccine," Saran said. "You cannot get a live infection from dead bugs."

But some patients might have an allergic reaction to the shot and develop a fever, rash or soreness, experts say.

It also takes about two weeks to build up immunity once you've had the shot, said Michael Koller, associate professor of medicine with Loyola University Stritch Chicago School of Medicine. So if you have impeccable timing and bad luck, you could get the flu and the flu shot at about the same time.

Myth: A flu vaccine will always prevent the flu.

Fact: The flu isn't one virus; it's a group of them. The vaccine is created each year based on experts' best estimate of which viral strains will be most prevalent in the coming year, said Janet Collins, medical director with Alexian Brothers Corporate Wellness Services.

But it's still just a guess, and this year the guess was not quite as good as in recent years. This year's vaccine does not protect well against several strains, H3N2 and B, though it is effective against others. About 60 percent of this year's viruses aren't in the shot, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated.

It's important not to get discouraged and give up on flu shots, the CDC reported. People who've had the shot get a milder case of the flu. And a government scientific advisory board has recommended a complete review of the makeup of the vaccine, so next year's shot is very likely to cover the newer strains.

Myth: Only children and the elderly need a flu shot.

Fact: Anyone who wants to avoid the flu should get the vaccine, and this year the CDC expanded its recommendation for children, saying everyone age 6 months to 18 years should get an annual shot.

Some groups are at particularly high risk of suffering dangerous complications of the flu, and getting the annual vaccine should be a priority. They are:

bull; People 50 years or older

bull; People who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities

bull; Women who are pregnant

bull; Children age 6 months to 5 years

bull; People with chronic heart and lung disease

Myth: If I'm sick, the doctor can just give me an antibiotic and I'll be fine.

Fact: Antibiotics -- and antibacterial soaps -- do not work against viruses.

The antiviral medication oseltamivir, brand name Tamiflu, might help lessen the severity and duration of symptoms and can keep some people from getting the flu if they know they were exposed.

Don't wait to see your doctor. To reduce the flu's severity, you must start taking Tamiflu within 48 hours of getting sick.

This year, nearly 7 percent of flu viruses show resistance to Tamiflu and wouldn't be affected by the drug. Luckily, the flu vaccine is providing good protection against the strain that's shown Tamiflu resistance, H1N1.

Myth: Starve a fever, feed a cold.

Fact: "Just use good common sense when eating and make sure to drink extra fluids when you are sick," Collins said. "Starving yourself when you have a fever is not effective at reducing flu symptoms."

Staying well-hydrated is particularly important because you lose extra fluids when you're sick, Saran said.

Myth: You can't die from the flu.

Fact: Most people recover from the flu in a few days, though they can feel fatigued for several weeks after, Koller said. But in extreme cases, the flu can lead to pneumonia or death. About 36,000 Americans die and 200,000 are hospitalized from the flu each year, Koller said.

"Once you have the flu, you never forget it," he said. "Usually, those are the people you don't have to convince to get a flu shot because they never want to get it again."

Myth: Eating certain foods, like chicken noodle soup, can stave off the flu.

Fact: Chicken noodle soup actually has been shown to contain some antiviral properties, Saran said. The jury's still out on its exact effects, but it isn't a total preventive measure, he said. Instead, chicken noodle soup -- along with lots of fruits and veggies -- can be part of an overall healthy diet, which helps strengthen the immune system.

Myth: If you had the flu once, you can't get it again.

Fact: Influenza has many strains, and it's possible for someone to have different strains of it -- even in the same season, Saran said.

In fact, one of the things scientists worry about -- and one reason they push vaccines -- is the possibility that someone could get two flu varieties at once, giving the viruses the chance to mix and mutate into something new, and maybe become deadly.

Myth: Cold weather causes the flu.

Fact: Not true. The flu is primarily spread by respiratory droplets and by contact with infected surfaces. In cold weather, people tend to congregate in closed spaces, allowing the virus to spread more efficiently, Collins said.

Prevent the flu

bull; Get vaccinated each fall.

bull; Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

bull; Keep others healthy and set a good example by staying home when you're sick.

bull; Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

bull; Wash your hands frequently.

bull; Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

bull; Stay in good health: Get enough sleep and exercise, eat nutritiously, drink lots of fluids and manage your stress levels.

Source: DuPage County Health Department

Find more information at www.cdc.gov/flu