Myths about colds and flu

Colds and flu are diseases that we all experience more than once. Due to their frequency and prevalence, various myths have formed around them, which we forget to check for veracity. Some of these myths can be harmful to your health and lead to unnecessary complications. In this article, we'll look at some of the most common myths about colds and flu.

Myth 1: Warm your throat if you have a sore throat.

When you have a sore throat, your throat really hurts, and many people try to warm it. However, it can be harmful to health. Impact heating will temporarily relieve pain, but will only benefit inflammation. When acute sinusitis or sinusitis has developed, the sinuses are clogged with pus. And intense heating of the tissues can cause the infection to spread and may even affect the brain. In case of follicular tonsillitis, you should also not vigorously warm up the swollen tonsils. Dry heat in the form of a wool scarf is sufficient. But you need to drink more and gargle more often with decoctions and infusions. But liquids should not be hot - hot irritates the already damaged mucous membrane.

Myth 2: Bundle up and sweat when the temperature increases

When they have a fever, many people lie down under warm blankets, thinking that this will help them recover. However, this is a myth. Burying ourselves under warm blankets, we artificially maintain a high external temperature, which disrupts our own thermoregulation. Because of this, the load on the heart and blood vessels increases, which can cause palpitations, shortness of breath and even pressure surges. In addition, you cannot reduce the temperature this way. On the contrary, wiping with cool water and a cold compress on the forehead will help to gently reduce it.

Myth 3: Bed rest is necessary

Another common myth is that when you are sick, you need to lie completely in bed and not go anywhere. However, this is not entirely true. There is absolutely no point in “chaining” a sneezing and coughing person to a bed. The fact is that when lying down for a long time, the ventilation of the lungs and bronchi decreases, and stagnation may begin in them. Considering that the infection tends to “descend” from top to bottom through the respiratory tract, the risk of getting bronchitis or pneumonia is higher for those who are “bedridden” will be higher. Of course, if you feel very unwell, you need to rest and limit physical activity. However, if you feel well enough, you can walk around the house or in the fresh air to improve blood circulation and speed up recovery.

Myth 4: Colds are caused by cold air

This myth arose because colds and flu are more common during the cold season. However, this does not mean that cold air causes these diseases. Colds and flu are caused by viruses that can be transmitted from person to person through coughing, sneezing, contact with contaminated surfaces, etc. Cold air can weaken the immune system and make us more vulnerable to infections, but that doesn't mean it causes colds and flu.

Myth 5: Antibiotics will help with colds and flu

This myth is one of the most common. Many people believe that antibiotics can help with colds and flu. However, it is not. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, and antibiotics only fight bacterial infections. Taking antibiotics for viral infections not only does not help, but can also be harmful, as it can lead to the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and a weakened immune system.

So, these cold and flu myths are not only wrong, but they can also be harmful to your health. It is best to follow the recommendations of doctors and take care of your health in order to avoid possible complications and recover faster.