Doctor Dispels Myths As Flu Season Begins

Experts: Flu Season Off To Rough Start

It's still very early in the flu season, but federal health officials don't like what they're seeing.

Dr. Julie Gerberding, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said flu outbreaks have already hit some parts of the country hard. And she said the vaccine for this year's flu shots doesn't exactly match the strain seen so far.

Gerberding said that means the season could turn out to be worse than usual, and she's begging people to get flu shots, which she says should still protect most people. She said it takes about two weeks for a flu shot to build maximum protection in a person's body, so she said the sooner you're vaccinated, the better.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson concurs.

"Each year in the United States, 36,000 people die from complications related to the flu," Thompson said. "There is plenty of vaccine to meet demand, so protect yourself and those who you love and go out and get vaccinated right now."

Gerberding said the strongest outbreaks so far have been in Texas and Colorado.

From flu shots to pumping up the vitamin C intake to sucking on zinc lozenges, there is all sorts of advice on what people can do to stay healthy, but which ones are myths?

MYTH

One of the biggest misunderstandings involves the flu shot. It does not make you sick.

"The vaccine is safe and effective, and because the vaccine is made with killed virus, it will not give you the flu," Gerberding said.

"The only time you might get the flu if you've had the flu shot is if the virus that's causing the flu wasn't included in the vaccine preparation, but that usually doesn't happen," said Dr. Kathleen Delaney, of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

According to Delaney, people don't understand the difference between the flu and a cold.

"A lot of people have never had the flu, and it's a devastating illness. You don't have a little runny nose and feel kind of crummy," Delaney said. "You are wiped out."

MYTH

Increasing vitamin C intake will help ward off colds and flu.

TRUTH

Keep the zinc lozenges handy -- they work.

"There was a study a year or two ago that showed that zinc lozenges can help to prevent catching a cold," Delaney said.

TRUTH

What about mom's chicken soup?

"It always makes you feel better to have a hot bowl of chicken soup. I'm not sure that it's curative, but it's very helpful," Delaney said.

MYTH

Putting on a jacket in cold weather will prevent colds and flu.

"Your immune system will help you prevent illness, and if you're really, really exposed to the cold, you might not do as well. But for the most part, that's truly a myth," Delaney said.

MYTH

The "stomach flu" causes nausea.

There is no such thing as stomach flu. Nausea means there's something else wrong, Delaney said.

When in doubt about what ails you and how to get better, always check with your doctor.

Copyright 2003 by Channel3000.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.