Influenza is an infection caused by the Influenza virus, which has several subtypes that cause recurrent infections, especially in children up to 5 years of age and in the elderly. Even though it is a common illness, there are several questions about the flu, what are the symptoms, if you take a hot bath and then go cold causes the disease, if the vaccine causes flu and what is the difference between flu and cold.
But are these statements really true? So here are 7 myths and truth about this disease and get all your doubts.
1. There is more flu in the winter.
Truth. Influenza is more common in winter because cold decreases the movement of eyelashes that exist in the airways and work by filtering the air and eliminating the microorganisms.
In addition, the environment is drier and people stay indoors longer, which favors the spread of the virus and the transmission of the disease.
2. Get out of the hot bath and go cold cause flu.
Myth. Influenza is caused by a virus, which means that a person only gets sick if they come in contact with the virus, which does not happen when taking a hot bath and then going into the cold - unless in this path contact occurs with the virus.
3. Cold can turn into the flu.
Myth. The cold is caused by the Rhinovirus family virus, but it is a mild infection, which usually causes cough, discharge and general malaise, but without causing pain in the body or fever.
However, as the immune system becomes more weakened by the cold, the chances of catching a flu infection increase, and it is important to start treatment soon to avoid this problem. See Homemade Recipes for Treating Influenza and Cold.
4. Flu can become pneumonia.
Myth. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, and so the flu, which is caused by viruses, can not become pneumonia.
However, the accumulation of secretions in the lungs, the weaker immune system and inflammation in the body favor infection by the bacterium of pneumonia, and so the flu is often linked to the onset of pneumonia, especially in the case of children and the elderly. Understand better and know what to do when the flu becomes pneumonia.
5. Water helps fight the flu.
Truth. Liquids such as water, teas and natural juices help fight the flu because they fluidize secretions and facilitate sputum and cough, which helps to eliminate the phlegm and viruses that are present in these secretions. See recipes for home remedies here.
Here are some recipes for teas that help treat flu by watching the video:
6. Vitamin C helps prevent the flu.
Myth. Vitamin C does not help treat or prevent the flu, but the consumption of fresh, rich foods in this nutrient, such as fruits and vegetables in general, helps reduce inflammation in the body, which brings relief from the symptoms of the disease.
7. The vaccine can cause flu.
Myth. The vaccine is made up only of small pieces of the flu virus, and therefore can not cause this disease.
Thus, symptoms that may arise after vaccination, such as mild fever, application site redness, and body drowsiness often arise because the person already had a swine flu virus in the body but is aroused and combated soon after contact with the vaccine.
See too:
- 7 Myths and Truths about H1N1 Flu
- How cold weather affects health
