Blowing the Cover On 3 Flu Prevention Wives Tales

Each time flu season starts, we all hear about the tips and tricks for preventing getting sick. Yet much of the common wisdom we hear is rooted in old wives tale and not medical science. Should we take antibiotics? Is antibacterial hand sanitizer effective at preventing the spread of germs? In order to stay healthy through the season, be productive at work, and not miss any schooling, separating fact from fiction is important.

Only Children And The Elderly Should Worry About The Flu

It is common to hear that the flu poses a high risk to children and the elderly and can be fatal for these two groups. This is true, but the fact remains that influenza is a serious condition for even healthy adults. The virus weakens the immune system and opens the body to additional infections and diseases. While you may not be at particular risk, carrying the virus increases the chances that a loved one will get sick and may have complications or end up in the hospital. The recent H1N1 strain also targets people with strong immune systems, contrary to seasonal flu.

Healthy, active adults should do as much as they can to prevent the flu, from using antibacterial hand sanitizer to getting the vaccine.

If You Catch The Flu Once, You Are Safe From Catching It Again

Influenza comes in multiple types and strains. Just because you fall ill from one particular strain doesn’t mean that you can’t get sick again in the same year. Seasonal flu comes in at least two types and on bad years multiple strains are spreading around in addition to the seasonal variety. Don’t stop washing your hands or using antibacterial hand sanitizer just because you already got over the flu once.

This also applies to another myth, that a vaccine lasts for two years or that you can’t catch the flu two years in a row. There are simply too many different strains and types that slowly mutate every year to say that protective measures last that long. The best way to stay safe is to follow the same regimen every year, get the vaccine, limit your contact with sick people, and use hand soap and antibacterial hand sanitizer.

Antibiotics Should Be Used To Prevent And Fight The Flu

Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections and the flu bug is a virus, so antibiotics offer no protection and are not a treatment for influenza. This myth has led many people to insist that their doctors prescribe antibiotics either at the start of flu season or after they have fallen ill.

Antibacterial hand sanitizer is more effective than antibiotics at preventing the spread of flu. Overusing antibiotics is actually harmful since people will begin to build an immunity, so when a real infections occurs it is more difficult to treat effectively. The only exception to the case is if a person sick with the flu also develops and infection as a result of their weakened immune system, then a doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the secondary illness and not the flu.

In the end, good habits like using antibacterial hand sanitizer and getting the vaccine are the best ways to prevent influenza.