A medical professional from Baylor College of Medicine has addressed common misconceptions about treating cold and flu, while offering advice on how to avoid and manage these seasonal illnesses.
Dr. Pedro Piedra, MD at Baylor College of Medicine, noted that "These seasonal viruses are easily transmitted from human to human as the cold weather brings people closer together indoors and kids are in school". He added that "Colder temperatures also allow for viruses to survive on surfaces longer, and the humidity we experience here in Houston also contributes to these viruses being able to survive outside of a host."
Contrary to the popular adage "Feed a cold, starve a fever", Piedra argues that it is not necessarily accurate. He insists that maintaining an adequate caloric intake is crucial when dealing with both conditions. As he explains in a news release from the Baylor College of Medicine: "A fever is actually a defense mechanism the body uses to fight off infections and viruses. Since this fight takes energy which comes from calories, it is important to eat regardless of the sickness. Even if a person is experiencing a lack of appetite they should still make sure they’re eating enough when they’re ill."
Piedra acknowledges that some wellness myths do hold some truth. He states: "There is also a saying that if your hair is wet and you are in a cold environment, you will get sick. That is partly true. You won’t contract a virus, but you may weaken your immune system, which might invite sickness."
In addition to lifestyle changes, Piedra emphasizes the role of vaccines and medications in recovering from cold or flu. He advises: "Antiviral drugs can be prescribed by your physician and are available to ease symptoms of various viruses, like influenza and SARS-CoV-2, but they need to be taken early on in the infection to make sure they are effective. If your cold, flu or COVID infection advances and you begin having difficulty breathing, or if you move around and you don’t feel well, reach out to your physician as this may be a sign that your condition is worsening."
