Surviving Cold and Flu Season: Myths and Facts

When sniffles strike and tissues pile up, it’s tempting to fall back on old wives’ tales and quick fixes. But not everything you’ve heard about colds and flu holds up to science. From the myth that cold weather causes illness to the misconception that antibiotics are a cure-all, navigating cold and flu season requires separating fact from fiction.

In this post, we’re busting the most common myths, sharing practical tips to stay healthy, and helping you know when it’s time to seek care — so you can face the season with confidence, not confusion.

Myth: You’ll catch a cold if you go outside without a jacket.
Fact: No, cold weather does not cause colds. The common cold is caused by viruses, not chilly temps. In fact, it’s all the inside time over the winter months that causes the uptick in colds during the winter, as people spend more time indoors, increasing exposure to germs.

Myth: Handwashing is only important if you’re feeling sick.
Fact: If you’re not sick, frequent handwashing can help you stay that way, especially if you’re around family members who are under the weather. Washing your hands with soap and water — or using hand sanitizer when you’re on the go — helps you stop the viruses that cause colds in their tracks.

Read More: Five Handwashing Tips

Myth: If symptoms last over a week, it’s not a cold.
Fact: Unfortunately, cold symptoms can persist for up to two weeks. So, if you have a lingering runny nose or cough, it could be the same cold, hanging on much longer than you’d like. The length of your illness alone isn’t a reliable way to know whether you have a cold or the flu.

Myth: It’s easy to know whether you have a cold or the flu.
Fact: These two common ailments are very hard toto tell apart, because the symptoms — cough, sore throat, runny nose, tiredness, sneezing, body aches, and low-grade fever — overlap significantly. Flu tends to be more sudden and bring more severe symptoms, but testing is the only way to confirm.

Myth: Antibiotics cure colds and flu.
Fact: Because cold and flu are caused by viruses, antibiotics are no help. Antibiotics are designed to fight bacterial infections. If severe flu leads to bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics might be used to treat the pneumonia.

Myth: Healthy people don’t need a flu shot.
Fact: Most people don’t look forward to a shot, and it’s tempting to turn to an excuse like “I’m not old or sick, so I don’t need to vaccinate for flu.” But in fact, everyone over six months old should get vaccinated annually to protect themselves and others.

Read More: Flu Shot FAQs

Avoiding colds and flus — and what to do to treat them
Avoid colds and flus all together by taking advantage of simple things that can boost your immune system and keep you healthy all season long. Already have the flu? Try these tips to handle the symptoms at home.

Our primary care and urgent care providers are here if you need professional care. Find a doctor or look for a walk-in urgent care near you.