Flu seasons are always rich in stories and myths about the disease, its origins, what eradicates it, how it hunts down its victims and spreads like the virus that it is. And while some of those stories have more to do with fiction than reality, others are far less embellished than you might think.
Here are 4 flu myths that are actually surprisingly factual for this storytelling genre.
Flu Precedes Its Symptoms
This is one of the most popular flu myths, one that is often scoffed at, especially by younger generations. But not only is this myth not a myth at all, but it represents one of flu’s sneakiest and most deceitful properties.
Symptoms may take a couple of days to kick in after the virus has already put down its roots. This is why there’s a one-to-two-day-window to get infected by a carrier who’s still not displaying any flu symptoms.
Exercise Battles Flu
The philosophy that sport is life isn’t just an inspirational one. Exercise bolsters our immune system, as long as it’s done within reasonable limits. And not only can exercise prevent flu in the first place, but it can also help you sweat it out before it has managed to spread to the control centers of your body and take full effect.
Timing is key, however. The rule of thumb is if you feel the flu above your chest, exercise can ward it off; if it has descended below your chest, however, exercise can actually exacerbate it.
Flu Shots Aren’t Always Effective
This isn’t some religion-based myth. Flu vaccines take two weeks to kick in, which is quite a large window of opportunity for such an easily transmittable virus.
Flu Evolves, and so Does the Vaccine
Not all flues are created the same. Variations and nuances are constantly emerging, and each year, the vaccine reflects scientists’ predictions of the most common versions of the virus.