Most home remedies for the cold or flu don’t work

BY RICHARD JENKINS SICKNESS myths like “starve a fever” and “the flu jab gives you the flu” are the most commonly believed, research has found.

A poll of 2000 adults found 20 per cent of the population fear catching flu because they have had the flu jab.

But this false belief may be the reason why only 37 per cent of Brits plan to be vaccinated against the virus this year.

Ten per cent of us falsely think going out in the cold, especially with wet hair, can make you vulnerable to illness.

Jane Devenish, pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, said: “The only way to catch flu is by being exposed to the flu virus, and the virus peaks in winter.

“However, there is some evidence that having a lower body temperature can lower your ability to fight off viruses, so listen to your grandmother’s advice and wrap up warm.”

It also emerged, despite the fact that 70 per cent of Brits surveyed via OnePoll. com had experienced flu, 53 per cent will not get the flu jab this year. 1. A “hot toddy” can help with flu symptoms: FALSE – alcohol lowers your immune system. 2. You should sweat out a fever: TRUE – sweating is how the body naturally cools down a fever. 3. Vitamin C can prevent flu: FALSE – the only way to prevent flu is with the flu jab. 4. The flu jab can give you flu: FALSE – the viruses injected are inactivated. 5. Starve a fever, feed a cold: FALSE – never starve your body. 6. A bowl of chicken soup will help cure flu: FALSE – nothing can cure flu. 7. Eating garlic can prevent flu: FALSE – garlic does have some anti-viral properties but there is no evidence it prevents flu. 8. Being outside in the cold can give you flu: FALSE – only the influenza virus gives you flu. 9. You can catch flu by going outside with wet hair: FALSE – being cold or wet cannot cause flu. 10. Antibiotics can cure flu: FALSE – antibiotics fight infections caused by bacteria but the flu is caused by a virus. Taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good.