1. If you get a vaccine, you may also get the flu.
There may have been occasions when individuals received a flu vaccine and then became sick. Of course, the first thing they think is that the vaccine was the cause of their illness. This is not the case. If you get a vaccine, you cannot get the flu from it as the vaccine is made from a virus that is inactivated and cannot transmit disease. Anyone who gets sick after receiving a vaccine would most likely have gotten sick regardless.

2. Chicken soup can cure you.
Even though chicken soup may help you feel better, it is not a cure. The warmth of the soup may help to ease a sore throat, and the liquid will provide fluids that you need during illness, but that is about all of the benefit that chicken soup can offer.

3. Antibiotics can help you.
Antibiotics are beneficial for bacterial infections, but since the flu is viral in nature, antibiotics will not be of assistance.

4. If your health is good, you can skip the vaccine.
Healthy individuals sometimes feel that the vaccine is not necessary for them, but a vaccination can still be very beneficial. Even if your general health is good and you feel that you can skip the vaccine, you could be a carrier of the illness to others who are more susceptible.

The flu can be a nasty illness and can hang on for weeks. It is wise to do what you can to protect yourself and others during flu season.

The virus gets into the cells of the nasal tissue and causes inflammation, increased mucus production and irritation. These factors combine to create the feeling of stuffiness we all associate with having a cold. The irritation in the lining of the nose causes sneezing, and if the irritation and inflammation spread to your lungs, you will develop a cough as well. For the most part, the irritation associated with a cold is not serious.

The good news is that your body kicks into high gear almost immediately. In fact, it is the immune system’s response that causes the irritation and inflammation as blood vessels open up to fight off the virus. As your body continues to fight the cold, your symptoms change. The increased mucus discharge, a. k. a runny nose, is a sign that the dead cold cells are leaving your body. Most people fight off a cold in about a week’s time.

There are certain individuals who are more at risk for catching a cold than others. Due to the fact that their immune systems are still developing, children can come down with colds more easily than adults. Youngsters are also in close contact with other children who may be infected, passing the germs from one child to another. Children may develop from six to ten colds in one year’s time, while adults, on average, can catch between two and four colds a year.

Newborn babies are especially susceptible to catching a cold during the first six weeks of life. Parents will want to be diligent in the care of their infants to protect them from a cold or virus, as colds can develop more complications in newborn children.

Teenagers also have a greater chance of coming down with a nasty cold due to the fact that they have not yet built up the necessary antibodies. In fact, teens are more likely to catch a cold than older individuals, who have lived longer and have developed more immunity to fight off infections.

Those who do not eat properly or get enough sleep may find themselves coming down with colds more frequently. In order to ward off disease, it is important to get the proper amount of rest and to eat a healthy, nutritious diet. It also helps to be a non-smoker, as those who smoke cigarettes can have more severe colds than those who do not smoke at all.

Still, thousands of others are hospitalized each year due to one or more of the various complications of flu with the vast majority of them from high risk groups such as the elderly, young children, those with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women.

Bacterial Pneumonia

The most serious of all potential complications of the flu is pneumonia, a serious respiratory infection that can be deadly for high risk individuals. Pneumonia, which impairs the breathing and causes an often painful cough and fever, is usually treated with antibiotics.

Older adults and those with chronic diseases or conditions must take precautions in addition to receiving any necessary medical care to avoid developing pneumonia.

Ear Infections

For children sickened by influenza, ear infections are usually the most common complication. Ear infections may require antibiotics if the infection is moderate to severe but they often resolve themselves on their own.

Sinus Infections

Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, occurs when the lining of the sinuses are inflamed and unable to properly drain mucus. The flu can cause an increase in mucus leading to the growth of bacteria and a sinus infection.

Some other complications of flu to be watchful for include bronchitis and dehydration. Drinking plenty of fluids while battling the flu is absolutely essential. Fluids are needed to keep the body functioning properly and to thin out mucus in the sinuses and lungs.

The flu may also exacerbate existing conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart problems causing a greater chance of fatalities due to complications.

There are plenty of sources of zinc that can help one combat the cold or flu. By eating whole wheat products or red meat, one can consume plenty of sources of zinc. Nuts also act as a great source of zinc. One may even wish to purchase zinc supplement pills from the local mineral store. Zinc supplements are quite affordable.

Zinc and colds have a long history together. There have been plenty of recent research studies completed that show the promising effects of zinc and colds. If taken in the first 24 hours of a cold, zinc can help relieve the effects of the common cold in a person.

Zinc can also serve as a remedy for the flu. Zinc will shorten the duration of one’s flu symptoms. Zinc has the ability to help a person feel less nauseated throughout the flu. With the common cold, zinc has the ability to soothe migraines and help a person’s sinuses from flaring up. Zinc can also help a person fall asleep and feel calm throughout the common cold.

While zinc has not been officially endorsed by any particular government agency, it is recommended by many individual doctors in the medical profession. Patients have found that zinc has soothing effects for the common flue for years. If you want to soothe the effects of your common flu, then be sure to take a supplement of zinc as soon as possible.

The truth behind catching influenza, or the flu, from animals is that it is indeed possible, and has been proven scientifically. However, the fears of catching the flu from animals is overblown for most of the population. Flu pandemics have also occurred in the past due to transmission of the flu from pigs and avian animals, usually domesticated like chicken. Precautions and warnings are set out in order to avoid a repeat of such pandemics, but actual transmission from an animal to a human mainly occur in workers that have frequent interaction with swine or domesticated avian animals. The chances of catching the flu from an animal are small due to structure of the virus, so such an occurrence would only be likely in those in the meat produce industry. Thus, the average person would be at virtually no risk of catching the flu from animals. The opposite effect, transmitting the flu from a human to an animal, is theoretically possible but the chances are small. In short, most people do not have to actually worry about catching the flu from an animal, and vice versa.

Flu season tends to hit around winter. Because of this, many people tend to associate cold weather with the flu. Though there is a correlation between cold weather and the flu, cold weather itself does not cause the flu. It is caused by people staying indoors and more close in contact with each other to stay warm. Because of this, the flu can transmit itself more successfully between other people. This does not occur only with direct contact with sick people, such as being coughed by a sick person on or touching a sick person. Unfortunately, the flu virus can also survive on surfaces and in the air where sick people have been earlier because of its ability to survive in the general environment.

In addition, those with the flu tend not to show symptoms when first contracting it. It takes anywhere from 24-72 hours for a person with the flu to show symptoms. Unfortunately, though that same person may not show symptoms, he or she is still shedding the virus – that is, that person can still transmit the virus to other people unknowingly. This, coupled with people in closer contact due to the cold weather and the virus’ ability to survive in the environment, helps cause what is known as flu season during the winter.

Many people wonder whether they should get a flu shot. Doctors strongly encourage pregnant women, those with serious illnesses, older adults, children under the age of 5 and health care workers to get a flu shot. However, people who are not in one of those categories do not necessarily need the flu shot.

It is important to note that the flu shot is not 100 percent effective. It can also be quite expensive. Some people have reported flu-like symptoms after getting the shot. Those are things that people should take into consideration before getting the flu shot. Additionally, there are many things that can be done to prevent the flu without getting a shot.

Washing the hands has been shown to be very effective at preventing the flu. Experts recommend washing the hands front and back for at least 20 seconds. Keeping the hands clean helps prevent the spread of germs. Those who have strong immune systems are less likely to develop the flu. Eating a well-balanced diet and exercising on a regular basis can help boost the immune system. People should also make sure that avoid close contact with someone who has the flu.

To avoid getting sick during cold and flu season, it is best if you wash your hands frequently. It’s almost impossible to never touch anything that might have germs on it. Doorknobs, sinks, railings, and computer keyboards are all popular hiding places for germs. What you can do is to wash your hands after encountering any item that might have germs on it. You should wash your hands before your touch your face, especially your eyes or mouth.

Boost your immune system by eating healthy. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and a healthy amount of protein and carbohydrates. Your body uses the nutrients in food to function. If you are lacking in vitamins and minerals, your immune system will be weakened. Getting a healthy amount of sleep is very important for immune system function. Adults should get at least eight hours of sleep each night. You should also dress warmly in cold weather. If you are cold, tired, malnourished, or otherwise in discomfort, it puts stress on your immune system. Any stress on your immune system could result in an inability to fight off the germs that cause colds and the flu.

You should also ask the person when they got sick and how fast it happened. If they say that they felt sick for a few days before it got really bad, then they probably have a cold. If their nose is stuffy and their throat is sore, then chances are that what they have is a cold. If this is the case, then they can simply take some medicines that will help alleviate these symptoms, but they will have to let it run its course.

If you are trying to help your friend figure out “Is it a cold or the flu?” and they absolutely cannot get out of bed and they have a fever, you should alert them that it may indeed be the flu and they should get some medical attention. You can help them by bringing them the thermometer and tea if they can possibly drink it. They may need to go to the doctor to get the right medication to help them get better. The flu can become rather serious, so it is best to act soon.

When your friend first calls you to ask, “Is it a cold or the flu?” you should take your time while answering. The main difference between the two is that the flu can be very serious and should not be simply ignored; especially if your friend is in a compromised state of health. For instance, if your friend had recently gone through chemotherapy or is elderly, the flu can be a much bigger problem than if they are young and healthy.
You should always encourage your friend to get medical attention if they are very worried about their condition. There are other illnesses that can look like the cold or the flu, and you need to make sure that your friend knows what he or she actually has. The main thing to pay attention to is the rate of onset of the symptoms and the severity of their fatigue. If they cannot get out of bed and are running a fever, then they may have the flu or another serious condition, and should see a doctor if at all possible.