Fact or Fiction?
13 Flu myths unveiled

Every year when the cold season begins, rumors and old flu myths pop back up. You’ve heard many of them before: “The flu shot gives you the flu” or “Only antibiotics can cure you.”
I know it may be hard to separate fact from fiction, so I brought here the top myths and misconceptions unveiled by One Medical, such as:
- The flu shot will protect me against COVID-19: FICTION.
Each disease has its own vaccine.
- It’s possible to get COVID-19 and flu at the same time: FACT.
Yes, you can be contaminated by both viruses at the same time.
- Wearing a mask and practicing social distancing will also help slowing the spread of the flu: FACT.
Yes, they are both transmitted in the same way.
- If you’re young and healthy, you don’t need the flu shot: FICTION.
Anyone can get it.
- Children need a special flu shot: FICTION.
Starting at six months of age, children can get the seasonal flu shot.
- You don’t need a flu shot if you’ve got one in the past: FICTION.
Every year the vaccine protects against different strains of the flu virus.
- You need antibiotics to recover from the flu: FICTION.
Antibiotics are used to treat infectious diseases caused by bacteria. Influenza is a virus, so antivirals can provide some help.
- The flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against the flu: FACT.
- The flu shot can give you the flu: FICTION.
The version of the influenza virus in the vaccine is either inactivated or not the virus at all (instead, it’s a substance designed to trick your body into thinking it’s the flu).
- Pregnant women need a special flu shot: FICTION.
According to the CDC, all flu vaccinations are safe for pregnant women.
- I should wait until flu season peaks to get vaccinated: FICTION.
It’s important to protect yourself against the flu before outbreaks begin, and it takes two weeks after getting the shot for your body to develop immunity to the virus.
- Flu shots are expensive: FICTION.
Most health insurance plans will cover your flu shot as a preventive service. If your flu shot isn’t covered by insurance, though, most clinics and pharmacies will offer it at a low cost.
- It’s too late to get my flu shot: FICTION.
It´s never too late. The flu virus may remain in circulation as late as May.
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