I’m often asked about old wives tales or myths about colds and flu. I’d like to look at the most common ones and attempt to separate fact from fiction.

Myth #1: You can get the flu from a flu shot.

Truth: I hear this stated frequently as an excuse to avoid the shot. The truth is that you may get a bit of fever and feel a bit achy for 24 hours after a flu shot, but this is just a sign of immune response to the vaccine. By the next day, you will feel perfectly well  and will be able to avoid the intense discomfort of a full-blown influenza infection.

Myth #2: You’re not contagious without a fever.

Truth: When and how long a cold or flu is contagious is an intriguig question. Fever  is not a good guideline. Most colds have very little fever. Children are actually infectious up to 2 days before they develop a single sniffle. Adults are most contagious at the peak of sneezing and coughing, which is usually the first two days. However, you will continue shedding virus, albeit in lesser amounts for up to a week.

Myth #3: Kissing spreads colds.

Truth: With colds, just about the safest contact is a  kiss, because there are few viral particles in saliva. By contrast, secretions from the eyes and nose have high titres. If you rub your eyes then shake hands, your cold will spread much faster than with a kiss.

Myth #4: Cold weather will give you a cold.

Truth: Colds are caused by a virus, not by environmental temperature. Scientists in England did some harrowing studies with volunteers who were soaked with water, sent outside, and watched for signs of a cold. In spite of this treatment, they stayed healthy. However, the cold virus loves cold gray windy weather, so it is more likely that you will pick up a cold virus in blustery wintery weather.