5 common flu myths

Winter is around the corner and so is our flu season. With some experts labelling last year’s epidemic as the worst on record, it’s more important than ever to prevent flu – and to treat it right.

The most obvious ways to combat the flu are often the best ones, according to Dr Trent Yarwood, an infectious-diseases physician. Staying at home when you’re sick, washing your hands and having the flu vaccination all help. But there are plenty of myths circulating, too. Here are his responses to five common misconceptions.

Having a cold is the same as having the flu

“Most people don’t get influenza in any particular year,” Dr Yarwood notes. “But most people will get a common cold, or more than one. Colds are annoying and can make you feel a bit rubbish for a day or two, but having influenza knocks you about for a week or more.”

Antibiotics help

“Antibiotics aren’t effective against influenza, because it’s a virus, and antibiotics work on bacteria,” Dr Yarwood explains.

He notes that anti-virals for influenza are effective, but “they’re just not very effective”. He says for most people who are otherwise healthy, “there is very little personal benefit – your illness might be a day or so shorter. “For people who are vulnerable – those with lung or other chronic medical problems – they are of benefit, and the earlier they are started the better.”

Cold and flu tablets don’t work

The “cold and flu” tablets you can buy over the counter (the ones with phenylephrine in them) are probably no better than just paracetamol. “If you want one that works, show the pharmacist your driver’s licence and ask specifically for the pseudoephedrine ones,” Dr Yarwood says.

He also notes that some older cold and flu tablets contain codeine, for which you now need a GP’s prescription.

You can just power through it

Going to work while you’re sick doesn’t just jeopardise your health, but can also risk the health of others, Dr Yarwood notes.

“You need to remember that there might be people in your workplace for whom influenza, or even a cold, could be very serious – for example, people receiving immunosuppression or chemotherapy.”

He says the generally accepted advice for people who have influenza is to wait until at least five days after the coughing starts, and you’re no longer having fevers, before returning to work.

The flu vaccine doesn’t even help

“The influenza vaccine isn’t a great vaccine,” Dr Yarwood says. “But it’s the best tool we have.”

At best, it “reduces your risk of getting flu by about 60 per cent, but this varies from year to year. Last year was a big year, and it was probably closer to 30 per cent.”

He advises getting the shot annually, because influenza changes from year to year, so last year’s vaccine may not be effective this year.

“Even though I’ve [already] had the flu this year, I’ll still be getting the vaccine because it protects against multiple strains, and I certainly want to reduce my chances of getting that sick again.”