4 Surprising Answers to FAQs about Cold and Flu Season (Text)

When it comes to cold and flu season, there's misinformation and then there are downright myths.

From remedies based on old wive's tales to flat-out falsities about the causes of these illnesses, it's no wonder people have a hard time sorting fact from fiction.

Cold and flu season lasts from October through May with January and February being the peak months.

Here are the answers to 4 frequently asked questions about cold and flu season:

1. Does going outside in cold weather with wet hair cause a cold?

In a word, the answer to this question is "no".

The illness referred to as the common cold is usually caused by one of more than 200 viruses, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It is true that colds are more common in the winter and rainy months, says the National Institutes of Health.

You can decrease your risk of catching a cold by washing your hands regularly and avoiding contact with people who are sick. But there's no evidence that the combination of cold weather and wet hair can lead to illness.

2. What about the flu? Does going outside in cold weather with wet hair cause the flu?

Again, no. It is true that the seasonal flu peaks in the winter months, but like the common cold, it us caused by coming in contact with a virus.

The best way to protect yourself against the seasonal flu is by getting vaccinated, says the US Department of Health and Human Services.

3. Can vitamin C cure a cold?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the jury is out on this one.

On the one hand, taking vitamin C in large doses may help shorten the length of time you're down and out with a cold. On the other hand, evidence is scant that the vitamin protects against colds in the first place.

And studies have shown that taking more than 500mg of vitamin C in one dose doesn't increase its overall effectiveness, the NIH says.

4. Can the flu vaccine actually make you get the flu?

The answer to this question is also a resounding "no", says the CDC. Vaccines contain inactive versions of the virus that causes the flu, so they are not contagious and don't lead to the actual illness.

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

However, this doesn't mean that there are no potential side effects to getting the flu vaccine.

Injection flu side-effects:

• Soreness or redness near the injection site
• Low-grade fever
• Headache or muscle ache

Nasal flu vaccine side effects:

• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Cough

5. What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

Generally speaking, flu symptoms are worse and more intense than cold symptoms, says the CDC.

Both illnesses have similar symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Tiredness
• Cough

If you have a cold, you are more likely to also have a stuffy or runny nose.

Sometimes it's difficult to tell whether you have the flu or a cold based solely on your physical symptoms.

To determine the best course of treatment, your doctor may have to conduct a test to determine which illness you have. But its always a good idea to stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and eat foods that are high in vitamin C.