Ten Medical Myths Debunked – Part One

What constitutes a medical myth? A myth is an untruth; not really a lie, but a story that has no medical validity. Thanks to the Internet, medical untruths develop a life of their own. Regardless of the source, there are some people that believe virtually anything they read or hear about.

Some myths are created generations ago by some well-meaning grandparent. The grandparent tells the child. When the child becomes a mother, she will tell the story to her child; and the dance continues. Some medical myths have deep cultural routes. Invisible germs (viruses, bacteria, etc.) cause most of our illnesses, but some cultures do not believe in these microorganisms. In many cultures, diseases are caused by spirits. In other cultures, diseases are caused by environmental incidents, like cold air or wet hair. Even bathing was felt to be a cause of illness in generations past.

Myth #1: Colds are caused by Cold Weather

It is true that we get more colds when the weather is cold, but this is because we are spending more time inside with people that are ill. Colds are caused by easily-transmitted viruses as soon as 12 hours after exposure. Since people are contagious a day before they know they are sick, they can spread their infection to innocent contacts. Changes in air temperature, such as going from a warm building to the cold outside, does not cause illnesses (although there has been few studies that dispute this). Going outside with wet hair does not cause colds. Sleeping in a drafty location does not cause colds. Contact with people cause colds. The Inuits along the Arctic Circle get considerably less colds than people who work in crowded offices with little or no ventilation.

Myth #2: The flu vaccine causes the Flu

Most flu vaccines (the injectable ones) are killed viral snippets — not complete viruses capable of causing the illness it is designed to prevent. If you get sick a day or so after getting the flu vaccine, you would most likely have been sick anyway. However, you may have even been exposed to influenza while sitting in the waiting room or standing in line to get your vaccine. Although it would seem logical to blame the vaccine — the last thing that you did — the vaccine does not cause the flu. There is one live, attenuated (weakened) flu vaccine called FluMist that could theoretically cause a mild case of influenze. This vaccine is sprayed up your nose and is not injected. Any flu vaccine is far from perfect. Since viruses can mutate and change, it is still possible to get a strain of influenza that is not covered by any of the vaccines.

Myth #3: Fevers are Dangerous and Cause Brain Damage

In most cases, fevers under 105 are not dangerous. Normal fevers of this nature do not cause brain damage, although sudden high fevers can cause hallucinations or even a febrile seizure. Fever is a sign that your body is fighting off an infection of some sort. It could be a minor viral infection (such as roseola that can cause three days of high fevers in children) or something more serious, like meningitis or pneumonia. It does behoove us to find the source of a fever whenever possible. In parts of the world where diseases like measles, cholera, typhoid, or malaria are commonplace, fevers were highly-feared as a sign of something ominous. Your grandparents may remember the days before antibiotics (1935), where simple bacterial illness like Strep throat, ear infections, or urinary tract infections actually killed people. Although frightening, fevers are more therapeutic than dangerous. Fevers should not be feared, but rather welcomed as a sign that your body is fighting off infection and do not require treatment.

Myth #4: Green Mucous Means an Antibiotic is Needed

Mucous becomes green when it stagnates. While this could indicate some bacterial action, it does not necessarily mean that you need an antibiotic. Just like a stream that flows into a pond — as long as there is a good flow of fluid, the water will remain clear. If the water flow stops, either entering the pond or going out, the water will stagnate and turn green. Persistent green mucous is another story. This could indicate a sinus infection. If a toddler or young child has green mucous coming out the nose on just ONE SIDE, this may be an organic foreign body. In other words, we have to look for peas, green beans, peanuts, or any number of food items that children sometimes stick up their noses.

Myth #5: Poison Oak/Ivy is Highly Contagious

Poison oak/ivy is not just a summer time affliction — it can happen anytime of the year. The oleoresin that causes the itchy skin reaction is very stable. You can find it on fireplace logs, sticks without the characteristic leaves, or even on the fur of your pets. Oleoresin can remain on contaminated clothes and shoes. An innocent person who washes your clothes can be exposed. This is probably why people assume the contact was the person, not one of these objects. It is this oleoresin that is the irritant; not the people who have it. I once had a patient who told me that her husband was sleeping on an army cot in the garage; eating on paper plates because she did not want to catch his poison oak. It takes a day or so from the time of contact before a person starts getting those Rhus blisters. Assuming that they had a shower in the previous day or so, the oleoresin is no longer on their skin. They can sleep inside with the rest of the people.