Cold and Flu Myths
From the Vonda Skelton, writer of our October 2010 ParentLife feature "A Healthy Life: Kids, Colds, & Flu;" Dr. Rebecca Woodlief; and BabyCenter.com, here are some common misconceptions about colds and the flu.
Colds and flu are NOT caused by:
- Getting chilled
- Going outside with wet hair
- Moving from warm to cold environment
- An uncovered head
Myth: Over-the-counter remedies are good for children. In fact, they can be more harmful than helpful in children under 6, and even older children are at a risk of being overmedicated. "Every year, 7,000 children under the age of 11 are treated in U.S. emergency rooms after taking too much cough or cold medication," cites a BabyCenter article.
Myth: You can catch the flu from a flu shot. You cannot catch a virus from a dead virus. Any reaction is to the shot, not to the deactivated virus. The nasal spray vaccine is a weakened, not dead, virus, however, and therefore should not be given to people with weakened immune systems.
Myth: Kids in daycare catch more colds. This is true only to a point; after the first year of daycare, children are at no more risk for catching colds than those at home. Exposure to infections can also help build the immune systems of children so they catch fewer colds in later years.
Myth: Antibiotics can treat a cold or the flu. Because colds and flus are viral, they cannot be touched by antibiotics, which kill bacteria.
Myth: Green drainage indicates a bacterial infection (not cold or flu). In the past, this was thought to be true; however, "Recent studies have dispelled this old myth showing that viral infections often have colorful mucus and that the majroity of these head colds clear without any antibiotics," writes Dr. Jim Mitterando.
For more on myths about common colds and flu, this BabyCenter article by Karen Miles has a wealth of information. Also check out this past article on differentiating between allergies, cold, and flu.
Do you spend the whole winter battling colds or is your household relatively healthy? Don't forget, to enter our monthly giveaway, just leave a comment during the month of October!
Illustration used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons.
