Come winter, the worry about catching a cold is high. The myths about cold and flu are many. That’s why its important to be aware of how to fight the flu virus and stay healthy throughout winter.

The problem

6,701 cases of Swine flue were recorded and 226 confirmed mortality till February 3^rd, 2019. This makes awareness about Flu and its prevention crucial. Any place where people are in close contact, like in schools, colleges, hostels, offices, awareness about infectious disease and prevention has a large role to play for community health.

There’s nothing to worry about Swine Flu

Swine flu (H1N1)  in India is a cause of worry due to the virulent nature of the virus. Lack of awareness, extreme challenges while collecting data for surveillance has focused the world’s eye on India’s battle with the beast “swine flu”.

The infection spreads by sneezing, coughing and close contact. The virus also has the ability to randomly combine with bird and pig influenza virus to produce new virus strains, it’s a science-fiction horror story unfolding at a rapid pace.

Are cold and flu the same?

The common cold virus is caused by  Rhinovirus. There is no vaccine against the common cold.CDC recommends the Flu shot as the best protection against Flu or Influenza.

There is only one type of Flu or influenza?

No, the Influenza virus has four main strains.

There are A, B, C, D types of Influenza virus. Most of the infections are species-specific, but the problem is they can change their genetic makeup and have caused epidemics and pandemics.

Swine flu and bird flu are cause for worry.

The Flu shot protects against the common cold.

Swine Flu podcast (click to listen)

No, the Quadrivalent Flu vaccine protects only against the four different dangerous strains of Influenza but you can still catch a cold.

Only children need Flu vaccine

No anyone above six months of age can take the Flu shot to get protection against Influenza.

You only need to take the Flu vaccine once.

No, you need to take it each year to get protection against the strains predicted to cause flu that year.

Can you get flu twice?

It’s unlikely that you will get infected with the same genetic type of flu virus, but infection with the other types is possible. The flu virus is smart and keeps changing itself. So we get ourselves the flu shot every year. It is because prevention through vaccination is the best way to keep away the flu.

It’s best to take the Flu shot in winter during Flu season.

Not really. While you can take the shot anytime, the best results occur when you take it by April -May to give your body get prepared for the Flu season.

The Flu shot should be taken only by those who catch colds.

No its best that Flu shot can be taken by all susceptible age groups.

You don’t need to maintain hand hygiene and cough hygiene if you take the Flu vaccine

You always need to maintain hand hygiene. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, eyes without washing hands, While coughing using a handkerchief and cover your face and nose.

The Flu vaccine protects only against one type of influenza virus?

No, the flu vaccine present in India, protects against 4 types of flu viruses circulating in India. It’s a quadrivalent vaccine.

Flu virus causes cold and fever and has no real risks

The symptoms of Flu or influenza range from

High-grade Fever, chills, and rigor

Muscle pain

Cough

Nasal Secretions

Fatigue

Headache

Bodyache

Sore throat

Nausea, Vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea

Respiratory distress

Need for intensive care in severe cases. So not having any risks is false. You need to take timely care for flu treatment.

You don’t need to take care of nutrition if you get the Flu vaccine.

The right nutrition will help fight cold and flu and improve your immunity. A balanced diet full of high-quality complete protein, fruits, vegetables, and probiotics helps your body fight germs and stay healthy. Whichever vaccine you take helps your body additionally.

There is no replacement for the right food. Remember the  Protein in your diet. It’s important to keep your cells healthy. Since a majority of cell components are protein. Your dietary protein is important to keep your immunity intact.

The right nutrition keeps your immunity high and working well.

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Exercise, yoga has no role to play with immunity.

Exercise helps your body release endorphins. Yoga, playing sports, daily exercise are a great way to boost your immune system. Additionally, yoga is a great way to balance the inner and outer world, between mind, body, and spirit. The more balanced you are, the healthier you stay and the more immunity you can develop.

Staying up late at night and low sleep duration lowers immunity.

True. Sleep during adolescent age could be as high as ten hours per day and at a minimum of 8 hours of uninterrupted nighttime sleep. Poor sleep habits prevent our body from recovering and repairing itself and lowers immunity. Burning the candle at both ends can be harmful to the body.

Optimism and a positive outlook don’t help with immunity

Optimism and a positive outlook not only make for a pleasant personality but are the essential mindset of winners. They also help you stay healthy. Happiness and optimism are closely related. The happier you are, the lower the amount of stress hormones like cortisol flooding the body.

Indoor air pollution and outdoor air pollution have no with Influenza.

Air pollution lowers the health of your lungs. The weaker the lungs the more likely the Influenza vaccine will cause havoc.

Natural immunity following Influenza swine flu is okay.

This gets tricky now.

Swine flu is a disease with very high mortality and morbidity. Even with one episode of swine flu, there occurs no further episode of protection. We have seen people end up in ICU after a bought of swine flu and tracheostomy being needed too.

The cold air is a problem

Yes and no. With good protection and if the nose and throat are covered, fresh air even if cold is okay. But if the air is heavy with pollutants, the colder the air the worse it is. If you are not wearing protective clothing, then the sudden cold can cause a blocked nose, blocked ears, and sore throat.

Vitamin C rich fruits and veggies help you fight cold.

That’s true. Micronutrients such as vitamin C, A, B-5, B-6, B-12, folic acid, trace elements such as iron, zinc, selenium, copper helps in white blood cell production and immune function.

So does this mean you will never fall ill if you are having vitamin supplements?

The answer is again tricky. Children with malnutrition, often suffer recurrent episodes of cold, stomach problems. They seem to be especially susceptible to germs affecting people in their immediate environment. Contagious diseases are often spread by touch, respiratory droplets. To fight invasion by germs, the body’s defense mechanism should be sufficiently primed to fight an assault.

Allergies are caused by cold and Flu

Allergies are different from both common cold and Flu.  Allergies are caused by a hyperimmune response by different allergens.  Heredity and environment have a role to play.  The air pollution aggravates problems of allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis. Allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma are often present in the same person.  Better the control of allergic symptoms, better the quality of life.

Read Allergic rhinitis part 1

You don’t need sunscreen in winter

Sunscreen is needed even during winter as the UV rays reach the earth’s surface even when it’s cold.

Everyday healthy habits, a balanced diet, exercise, and sleep helps you stay healthy. Prevention is always better than treatment and staying healthy needs a multi-pronged plan.  So what are you doing to stay healthy? What did you learn today which you didn’t know before?

Write to me at dramrita@healthwealthbridge.com and let me know what you do to stay healthy and fight flu and you may be featured on my blog.