Myths about the flu

Myth 1: Influenza vaccination is ineffective and only fuel pharmaceutical companies’ profits According to Dr. Ernest Kuchar from the Medical University of Wrocław, the effectiveness of flu vaccinations has been confirmed by numerous studies. They show that the highest immunity is obtained in people before the age of 65, in whom it reaches as much as 70-90%. On the other hand, older people react worse after the age of 65 – their resistance to influenza infection does not exceed 30-40%. It may happen that someone gets vaccinated and becomes ill. However, there is a chance that he will have a mild flu, which is especially important in the elderly, who are at the highest risk of both infection and complications from the flu. “The vaccine is the most effective and the cheapest method of flu prevention” – emphasizes prof. Lidia Brydak, head of the national flu center. Photo Shutterstock

Myth 2: The flu only affects the elderly The H1N1 flu virus, which caused the 2009 epidemic, mainly killed children and young people. According to Pediatrics, it is likely that this germ has paved the way for secondary infections such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria called MRSA. They were, in general, the direct cause of deaths. “Too often, we underestimate the complications of influenza, such as pneumonia and inflammation of the heart muscle. For example, anthrax seems to be more dangerous, as it has not caused any death in our country, ”believes Dr. Kuchar. Prof. Lidia Brydak is convinced that there are even ten times more fatal complications from influenza than the official statistics indicate. This is because, he explains, not all deaths are reported by primary care physicians. “They have to fill in the relevant documentation, so they prefer to write down in the patient’s medical record that it is a cold and write only a sick note.

Myth 3: The flu is not very serious, it is enough to bask in bed and catch it Prof. Brydak believes that this belief stems from the fact that we often mistake flu for colds. Different symptoms caused by the flu virus can also be caused by other respiratory viruses, because flu-like viruses are also transmitted at the same time that the flu germ is circulating. Characteristic for colds is that the nasal obstruction worsens, fatigue, weakness, eye pain and cough appear. Rarely, an increase in body temperature or a low-grade fever, loss of appetite and headache is present. In the case of flu, the disease comes on suddenly and fever rises above 39 degrees C, usually lasting one to two days. There are also chills, headaches, pain in joints, muscles, severe weakness, as well as sneezing, rhinitis, sore throat, dry paroxysmal cough and a feeling of general breakdown. Photo Shutterstock

Myth 4: If you are infected with the flu, it is enough to take vitamin C and over-the-counter preparations Prof. Brydak emphasizes that commonly used ‘anti-influenza’ drugs do not prevent multi-organ complications from influenza. These preparations only reduce the severity of symptoms but do not fight the flu virus. As for vitamin C, the studies conducted so far show that it does not affect the course of infection. A new generation of anti-influenza drugs, the so-called neuraminidase inhibitors, available only by prescription. However, they must be administered as soon as possible from the onset of the disease, i.e. preferably within 36 hours, maximum 48 hours after prior laboratory diagnosis. Later they are no longer effective. Photo Shutterstock

Myth 5: People with the flu need to be given antibiotics Antibiotics do not help treat flu because they are designed to fight bacteria, not viruses. “In the case of flu infection, the administration of antibiotics should be avoided, unless there are other medical indications” – emphasizes prof. Brydak. (PAP) Shutterstock