Hey there! Let’s dive into some common misunderstandings about getting sick and clear up the confusion. Understanding these misconceptions can help you stay healthier and make better choices when you’re feeling under the weather.
Many people believe that taking vitamin C can stop you from catching a cold or help you recover faster. However, a study from 2007 looked at 29 different studies involving over 11,000 people and found that vitamin C doesn’t actually prevent colds. It might help you get better a little quicker, but it’s not a magic cure. So, whether you drink orange juice or not is up to you!
Some folks think that wrapping up in blankets and sweating can cure a cold. This isn’t true. Doctors have mixed opinions about exercising when you’re sick. It won’t cure you, but if you feel okay, light exercise is fine. Or, you can just relax and let your body heal.
During flu season, different strains of the flu virus are around. This means you can catch the flu more than once if you encounter different strains. That’s why the flu shot is designed to protect against several strains that are expected to be common each year.
You’ve probably heard that going out in the cold will make you sick. While it’s true that more people catch colds in winter, it’s not the cold weather itself that causes them. Colds are caused by viruses. A study in 2005 showed that cold temperatures might weaken your immune system, making it easier for viruses to cause symptoms.
When people talk about the “stomach flu,” they often mean symptoms like nausea and vomiting. However, these aren’t usually caused by the influenza virus, which mainly affects the respiratory system. Other viruses are often responsible for stomach issues.
If you get food poisoning, you might blame the last meal you ate. But the truth is, it could be something you ate days ago. Different germs take different amounts of time to make you sick, and sometimes, you can catch them from surfaces, not just food.
Some people worry about vaccines, but they’re generally very safe. The most common side effects are a sore arm or mild fever. Serious side effects are extremely rare. Vaccines save millions of lives every year by preventing diseases like polio and measles.
Getting a flu shot is a good idea. A study in 2013 showed that flu vaccines reduced hospitalizations by 71% in adults. Most children who died from the flu that year hadn’t been vaccinated. For pregnant women, the flu shot can also protect their babies after birth.
You’ve probably heard this saying, but it’s not true. You need to eat whether you have a fever or a cold. When you have a fever, your body burns more calories, so it’s important to eat enough to keep your energy up.
Even if you’re healthy, you can still catch a cold. A study from 1992 found that over 90% of people got infected after being exposed to the cold virus. It’s not just about having a strong immune system; it’s about avoiding the virus in the first place.
Thanks for learning with us! If you have more questions or topics you’d like to explore, feel free to share your ideas. Stay healthy and see you next time!
Conduct a simple experiment to understand the effects of vitamin C. Gather data on how many classmates believe vitamin C can prevent colds. Then, research and present findings from scientific studies about vitamin C and colds. Discuss how scientific evidence can challenge common beliefs.
In pairs, take turns role-playing as a doctor and a patient. The “doctor” should explain why sweating out a cold is a misconception and provide advice on how to properly care for a cold. This activity will help you practice communication skills and reinforce correct health information.
Create a timeline of the flu season, highlighting different flu strains and the importance of the flu vaccine. Include information on how the vaccine is developed and why it’s possible to catch the flu more than once in a season. Present your timeline to the class to educate others.
Participate in a debate about whether cold weather causes colds. Use scientific studies and evidence to support your arguments. This will help you develop critical thinking and public speaking skills while understanding the real causes of colds.
Research different types of germs that cause food poisoning and their incubation periods. Create a detective-style report on how food poisoning can occur and how to prevent it. Share your findings with the class to raise awareness about food safety.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, I’m Elliott. This is Mental Floss on YouTube. Today, I’m going to talk about some misconceptions about getting sick.
**Misconception #1: Vitamin C can prevent or treat colds.**
In 2007, researchers compared 29 studies with a total of 11,306 subjects to determine whether vitamin C was effective in preventing the common cold. All trials involved subjects taking more than 0.2 grams of vitamin C daily, compared to those taking placebos. They found that vitamin C didn’t reduce the incidence of common colds, though it may have shortened their duration. So, drink your orange juice, or… don’t.
**Misconception #2: You can sweat a cold out.**
Some believe that when you catch a cold, the way to cure it is by wrapping yourself in blankets to sweat out the germs. That’s not true. Doctors have mixed opinions on whether you should exercise when you have a cold. It probably won’t cure you, but if you feel up to it, keep the exercise moderate, and you should be fine. Or do what I do and get your exercise in by complaining constantly.
**Misconception #3: You can only get the flu once per season.**
During a flu season, there are usually multiple strains of flu circulating. It’s possible to catch different types of flu within the same season. This is why the flu shot protects against multiple strains, typically the ones expected to be the most prevalent that year.
**Misconception #4: Going out in cold temperatures will make you catch a cold.**
You’ve probably heard someone tell you to bundle up to avoid catching a cold. It seems logical since people often get sick during winter. However, the common cold is caused by a virus. In 2005, researchers tested this by putting the feet of 90 students in cold water for twenty minutes. Within five days, this group had twice as many colds as a control group. Researchers believe it wasn’t the cold water that caused the colds; rather, the cold may have weakened their immune systems, allowing symptoms to appear.
**Misconception #5: Stomach flu = influenza.**
When someone experiences nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, they often say they have the “stomach flu.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these symptoms can occur with influenza, but they are also associated with other viruses. Typically, the flu causes more respiratory issues than stomach problems.
**Misconception #6: If you have food poisoning, the last thing you ate is to blame.**
It might be, but it also might not be. Every pathogen is different, so before you write that negative review, consider that what made you sick could have been something you ate up to three days ago. It may not have come from food at all; you can pick up these bugs from contaminated surfaces.
**Misconception #7: Vaccines are dangerous.**
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most you’re likely to experience from a vaccine is a sore arm or mild fever. More serious symptoms are so rare that the risk is difficult to quantify, but it’s estimated to be in the range of one in thousands to one in millions of doses. The same goes for the risk of death; it’s very low. In contrast, the benefits of vaccination are significant. According to the World Health Organization, immunization prevents 2-3 million deaths annually, polio cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988, and global measles mortality has decreased by 74% since 2000.
**Misconception #8: The flu shot isn’t worth it because it isn’t that effective.**
While shots can be intimidating, they are worth it. A 2013 study showed that flu vaccines led to a 71% reduction in flu-related hospitalizations in adults. The CDC also reported that 90% of children who died from the flu in 2013 had not received a flu shot. It’s also beneficial for pregnant women, as receiving a flu shot increases the likelihood of infants avoiding hospitalization for influenza in their first six months of life.
**Misconception #9: Starve a fever, feed a cold.**
You should be eating whether you have a fever or a cold. In fact, you burn more calories when you have a fever because your body temperature and metabolism increase. So, it’s important to eat enough calories to keep up with these changes. Doctors may not recommend certain snacks, but I think they’re delicious!
**Misconception #10: You must have a weak immune system if you catch a cold.**
Once you come into contact with the virus, your immune system has little to do with it. A 1992 study found that over 90% of subjects became infected after being exposed to the virus. Even very healthy individuals can catch a cold.
Thank you for watching Misconceptions on Mental Floss on YouTube. If you have an idea or topic for an upcoming episode, let me know in the comments section below, and I’ll see you next week!
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This version maintains the core information while removing informal language and personal anecdotes that may not be suitable for all audiences.
Misconceptions – Incorrect beliefs or ideas about something, often based on a misunderstanding or lack of information. – Many people have misconceptions about how vaccines work, thinking they can cause the illness they are meant to prevent.
Vitamin – A natural substance that is usually found in foods and is necessary for the body to function properly and stay healthy. – Vitamin C is important for maintaining a healthy immune system and can be found in fruits like oranges and strawberries.
Cold – A common viral infection of the nose and throat, usually causing a runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat. – Despite popular belief, you cannot catch a cold simply by being outside in cold weather without a coat.
Flu – A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, often more severe than the common cold. – Getting a flu shot each year can help protect you from the most common strains of the virus.
Viruses – Microscopic infectious agents that can only replicate inside the living cells of an organism and can cause diseases. – Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics, so prevention through vaccines is crucial.
Vaccines – Biological preparations that provide immunity to a particular infectious disease. – Vaccines work by stimulating the body’s immune system to recognize and fight pathogens like viruses and bacteria.
Poisoning – Harmful effects caused by ingesting, inhaling, or coming into contact with toxic substances. – Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur if a gas heater is not properly ventilated, leading to serious health risks.
Immune – Protected against a particular disease or illness, often due to the presence of antibodies. – After recovering from chickenpox, most people become immune to the disease and are unlikely to catch it again.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury and maintaining physical and mental well-being. – Regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential for maintaining good health throughout your life.
Exercise – Physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive for the purpose of conditioning the body. – Doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day to improve cardiovascular health.
