Fact or

fiction?

Identifying what’s true and what’s not about the prevention and treatment of the flu.

arrow

So what should you do if you have the flu?

Take vitamin C? Gargle salt water? Eat garlic? When it comes to treating the flu, everyone has their favorite home remedies for the flu. But do they actually work?

Here we break through some of the ‘conflusion’ by identifying what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to preventing and treating the flu. And what’s more, if you click on a panel below you can learn more about that particular topic.

To get you started, we’ve split out topics into three sections, depending on whether you’re interested in antivirals vs. over-the-counter medications, flu vaccines, or symptom relief.

mug

True? or false?

Flu antivirals vs. over-the-counter remedies

prescription

You need a prescription for antiviral flu medication.

pill

Antibiotics are a good treatment for the flu

bottle

Over-the-counter flu medicines can cure the flu.

The flu vaccine

virus

The flu vaccine can give you the flu.

pregnancy

Only high risk groups such as pregnant women and older people need a flu shot

calendar

You don’t need a flu vaccine every year

shield

A flu vaccine protects you from all types of the flu

person

Some people are allergic to flu shot ingredients

rings

There is no difference between a vaccine and an immunization

Flu symptom relief

nose

The flu is just a bad cold – the symptoms are the same

meal

Chicken soup can cure the flu

calendar

The flu isn’t a serious illness

pills

Antivirals can help ease symptoms of the flu

doctor

Think you’ve got the flu? Call or visit your doctor to discuss if an antiviral flu medication might be right for you

If you get sick this flu season, it’s important to speak to your doctor or health care provider as soon as possible.

notes

Find out more about the flu in your local area using the MOH Weekly Infectious Diseases Bulletin.

If you get sick this flu season, it’s important to speak to your doctor or health care provider as soon as possible.

notes

Find out more about the flu in your local area using the MOH Weekly Infectious Diseases Bulletin.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What You Should Know About Influenza (Flu) Antiviral Drugs: Fact Sheet, 2016. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/antiviral-factsheet-updated.pdf. Last accessed: November 2018.
  2. Lehnert R et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2016; 113(47): 799–807.
  3. Low D. Clin Microbiol Infect 2008; 14(4): 298–306.
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptom relief, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/symptom-relief.html. Last accessed: November 2018.
  5. Stiver G. CMAJ 2003; 168(1): 49–56.
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Last accessed: November 2018.
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-understand-color-office.pdf. Last accessed: November 2018.
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination: Who Should Do It, Who Should Not and Who Should Take Precautions, 2017. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldvax.htm. Last accessed: November 2018.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at High Risk of Developing Serious Flu–Related Complications, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm. Last accessed: November 2018.
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm. Last accessed: November 2018.
  11. Talbot HK et al. Clin Infect Dis 2013; 56(12): 1774–1777.
  12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cold Versus Flu, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm. Last accessed: November 2018.
  13. Ang LW, et al. Emerg Infect Dis 2014; 20:1652–60.
  14. Chow A, et al. Emerg Infect Dis 2006;12:114–21.
  15. Tsang TK et al. Trends Microbiol 2016; 24(2): 123–133.
  16. Allen UD et al. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 2006: 17(5): 273–284. 

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What You Should Know About Influenza (Flu) Antiviral Drugs: Fact Sheet, 2016. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/antiviral-factsheet-updated.pdf. Last accessed: November 2018.
  2. Lehnert R et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2016; 113(47): 799–807.
  3. Low D. Clin Microbiol Infect 2008; 14(4): 298–306.
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptom relief, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/symptom-relief.html. Last accessed: November 2018.
  5. Stiver G. CMAJ 2003; 168(1): 49–56.
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Last accessed: November 2018.
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-understand-color-office.pdf. Last accessed: November 2018.
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination: Who Should Do It, Who Should Not and Who Should Take Precautions, 2017. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldvax.htm. Last accessed: November 2018.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at High Risk of Developing Serious Flu–Related Complications, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm. Last accessed: November 2018.
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm. Last accessed: November 2018.
  11. Talbot HK et al. Clin Infect Dis 2013; 56(12): 1774–1777.
  12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cold Versus Flu, 2018. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm. Last accessed: November 2018.
  13. Ang LW, et al. Emerg Infect Dis 2014; 20:1652–60.
  14. Chow A, et al. Emerg Infect Dis 2006;12:114–21.
  15. Tsang TK et al. Trends Microbiol 2016; 24(2): 123–133.
  16. Allen UD et al. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 2006: 17(5): 273–284.