Myths abound about the common cold, so what is the best way to protect yourself and your family?
Let’s do a quick check. What do you know about colds and flu – fact or myth?
- Cold weather causes colds and flu.
- Wet hair, wet feet and exposure to cold weather can cause colds.
- You can get the flu from the flu vaccine.
- A bowl of chicken soup and hot toddies help cure a cold.
While colds and flu are more prevalent in cold weather, the fact is that viruses are spread by droplet transmission more easily in cold weather because people spend more time indoors and near
other people.
Even though your mom told you not to go out with wet hair, a virus is going to cause colds and flu, not your wet hair.
The flu vaccine, albeit a contentious topic, is an inactivated form of the virus and cannot cause the flu.
Chicken soup and hot toddies surely make us feel better but, unfortunately, a cure is yet to be found.
How do you know the difference between a common cold and the flu?
Flu symptoms are generally more sudden and are usually associated with a fever, as well as severe body aches and pains.
What can you do about it?
Most often, you can tackle colds and flu at home with rest and by treating the symptoms. Ask your pharmacist for over-the-counter preparations to relieve these symptoms, which may include a runny nose, sore throat and headache. If you are at high risk of developing complications, please see your doctor.
Pop into National Road Pharmacy Clinic to have your flu vaccination and get a free shot of Vitamin C booster juice, compliments of The Juice Kitchen.
031 764 0311