Cold and flu myths - fact or fiction?

Coming down with a cold? Here are nine things you should separate from fact and fiction. Photo / 123RF

Does wet hair give you a cold? Will a nip of whiskey make you feel better? Anna King Shahab questions top cold and flu sayings and sorts fact from fiction.

1: You can get a cold from going out with wet hair

A cold, like the flu, is a virus spread from person to person, and can't be caught from thin (or cold) air. Being cloistered indoors with the cold virus present is far more likely to get you sneezing. However at least one study has shown some correlation between the cold and wet and the common cold: half a group sat with their feet in cold water for 20 minutes, then went into a room with the cold virus present, while the other half of the group missed out on the cold water torture. More people within the cold water group ended up with a cold - or at least reported cold-like symptoms. Not an infallible study, but perhaps warranting at least a brief drying of the hair before venturing outdoors in cold weather - that, or the fact that wet hair on your neck doesn't feel that nice in cold weather anyhow.

2: Whiskey will help ease a sore throat or cough

There aren't any actual antibiotic properties in whiskey that would fight the bugs that cause a sore throat, but gargling with a little whiskey may help alleviate the pain a little - temporarily. What's interesting is the notion that whiskey might help stave off the sore throat in the first place - one study has shown drinkers to have an increased resistance to viral infections. And certainly a hot toddy before bedtime might well help you sleep through that nasty sore throat pain or the annoyance of a hacking cough.

3: The flu shot gives you the flu

The flu shot cannot give you the flu, but you may develop some flu-like symptoms for a number of reasons. Your body might react to the shot and you produce protective antibodies, or you might catch the flu soon after the shot - there is a two week window before the vaccine is effective. And occasionally, the flu virus circulating is different to the one being administered as a vaccine.

4: You spread the flu before you know you're sick

True. A healthy adult can infect others with the flu virus they're carrying a day before they themselves display any symptoms. And some carriers don't display any symptoms at all. For several days after you're feeling better you may still be infectious, also.

5: You have to be near someone to get the flu

You certainly don't have to be caught kissing someone to catch their flu virus. The flu is transmitted by infected respiratory droplets, expelled during coughs and sneezes, coming to rest in someone else's mouth (ew). Moreover the infection in said droplets can survive for several hours, meaning surfaces like benches, desks and handrails can harbour the virus. (Even more ew).

6: Feed a cold, starve a fever

Yes, scientists have, over the years, tested this proverb, and the findings are contradictory. Not only that, but there's the issue that the origin of the saying itself is contested - some historians reckon the original saying was actually along the lines of 'by feeding a cold, you can starve off a fever': rather different to today's version. The most practical advice for diet when you have a virus would be to keep up your liquid intake and just trust your appetite.

7: Have chicken soup when you're sick

Known affectionately as "Jewish penicillin" chicken soup might actually live up in part to its cold-fighting reputation. Chicken is rich in carnosine, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory which, in complete layman's terms, helps your immune system inhibit a virus from taking hold. So dining on chicken soup may help in the early stages of a virus. But also (apologies in advance) the anti-inflammatory properties of chicken soup may aid in the movement of mucus, helping decongest and expel that infection-harbouring mucus.

8: Rest, don't exercise when you're ill

It all depends on the illness and its symptoms. Don't let things like a runny nose or a little congestion stop you from exercising moderately, or even working up a wee sweat - some studies have shown the increase in body temperature may indeed mean you can sweat off minor viral infections, and studies show those who remain active in mild illness may shake it off earlier. But certainly, if your body is under stress, rigorous exercise may exacerbate this as your body struggles to both recover from the exertion and fight the illness. If you're suffering from fever, chest congestion, vomiting, fatigue or widespread body aches, it's best to seek rest.

9: Cover your mouth when you cough

Yes, please. The droplets you spray may be invisible to the naked eye but an uncovered cough or sneeze is how a virus spreads to others. Of course when you do cover your mouth and nose the germs will transmit to your hand (or forearm if that's your blocking style), so keep washing your hands and using anti-viral hand wash or sanitiser, or better yet use a tissue each time and dispose of it afterward, as well as keeping up the washing.

- nzherald.co.nz