Five “Flu Myths”

Dr. Susan G. Burger, Director
Riverside Chiropractic & Vitality Center, Morrisville

Over the last twelve years in practice I’ve had many questions about how to recover from the flu more quickly, and how to keep from getting it in the first place! There are many helpful ways to help keep your immune system strong. Here I’d first like to review some basic “flu myths”.

Following are five popular myths:

1. Going out in the cold will make you sick.

As long as you and your children bundle up properly, some fresh air and sunshine can be good for you. If you tend to suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) some sunshine each day is crucial. Remember your hat. Much of the heat lost from your body in the cold is from your head.

2. Germs cause disease.

If ten people were in a small room with someone who was sneezing and coughing, all of them would be exposed to germs. Yet only some of them will get sick. Rather than the germ itself causing disease, it’s our susceptibility to the germ. You are less likely to get sick when your body’s immune system and defense mechanisms are healthy and strong.

3. Always bring down a fever.

A fever actually helps your body fight the invading virus. Admittedly, a fever does make you or your child feel lousy. But rather than immediately taking something to bring down the fever, sometimes it’s best to get in bed with lots of blankets and rest, and let the fever do its job. Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, in his book How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor, comments: “If your child contracts an infection, the fever that accompanies it is a blessing, not a curse. A rising body temperature simply indicates that the process of healing is sped up. It is something to rejoice over, not to fear.” (If your child develops a high fever, has a seizure, or if you notice changes in consciousness or mental function, contact your health-care practitioner immediately.)

4. A runny nose is bad.

The body’s defense mechanisms are made to perform effective clearing functions. If you have ever inhaled pepper into your nose and experienced the violent sneeze that follows then you have experienced one of these clearing processes. The body has a built-in self-cleaning system which, when working properly, ensures that impurities and harmful substances are disposed of appropriately before they have a chance to cause disease. Even the process of watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing which accompanies the common cold or flu is the body’s attempt to clear the invading virus. Drink lots of water.

5. Antibiotics will make you feel better.

Influenza or flu is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. Because a virus causes the flu, antibiotics have no effectiveness. Antibiotics work against bacteria, which are different than viruses.

If you find yourself fighting the flu, rest and take care of yourself so the body can do its job of healing. If you keep going full speed and take medications to reduce fever, you are actually delaying recovery and extending the period of illness. The symptoms you have are the manifestations of the body’s defense action aimed at preserving health. Listen to it, respect it, and let it do its job.

Dr. Susan G. Burger is the director of Riverside Chiropractic & Vitality Center
300 W. Trenton Ave.
Morrisville, PA 19067
215-736-3803

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