(WXYZ) - The myths about H1N1 flu are spreading faster than the virus itself. So, it’s time to separate what’s fact from what’s fiction.
When it comes to keeping healthy, Mom has always been a great source of information.
With 21st century diseases, we’ve turned to 21st century technology for answers. And that means our computers.
But popular e-mails are infected with a lot of false information. And counting on the Internet for medical advice can put our health at risk.
There’s one e-mail in particular that has become widely circulated. It quotes Dr. Vinay Goyal of India and contains hints on avoiding the flu. Dr. Goyal has denied writing the article, but does that mean the advice is wrong? Well, yes and no.
The first tip is frequent hand washing. Just about everyone agrees with that, including infectious disease specialist and Providence Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tammy Lundstrom.
Dr. Lundstrom: That is absolutely true.
The second tip on the e-mail is to take a “hands off your face” approach. Again, medical experts agree that is a great way to keep flu droplets from getting into your system
Dr. Lundstrom: We touch them, pick up the germs on our hands, touch our eyes, nose and mouths and we inoculate ourselves with the virus.
Tip three from the e-mail is to gargle twice a day with warm salt water to prevent the virus from multiplying in your throat.
Dr. Lundstrom: That actually is a myth. That one is not true. If I‘m exposed today and I gargle tonight, it will do nothing to actually prevent me from getting influenza.
The e-mail also recommends using a neti pot to clean your nostrils once a day. Or just blow your nose hard and then swab both nostrils with cotton swabs dipped in warm salt water. Dr. Lundstrom says that won’t keep the virus from growing.
Dr. Lundstrom: Once it’s there it quickly attaches to the cells and invades and causes the illness.
How about boosting your natural immunity with Vitamin C? That sounds like some of that "mom advice."
Dr. Lundstrom: It’s important to eat healthy for all sorts of reasons, including helping you fight off infections, but it won’t prevent you from getting the flu.
The final element to the e-mail is to drink as much of warm liquids as you can, because it has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction.
Dr. Lundstrom: That is also a myth. Drinking warm beverages usually makes you feel better; especially coffee in the morning, but it won’t prevent you from developing influenza if you’ve already been exposed.
One other myth is if you’re exposed to the flu, you’ll get it. But depending on your level of exposure, only 20 percent of people exposed actually get the flu.
