Flu outbreaks occur more often in the cold months. Charmaine Gauci, director of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate, explains why.

Around this time of year, it is usual to see many people sniffling into tissues and handkerchiefs.

Just one quick look at Facebook timelines, you’ll see many posts reading “I’m sick”, “off to my cosy bed” or “sorry, friends, don’t think I can make it tonight”.

Influenza and common cold viruses are very often to blame for this as outbreaks occur more frequently in winter.

The flu virus survives for longer periods indoors in winter because the humidity of indoor air is very low in comparison with the outside air

Many factors may play a role in the flu’s seasonal pattern, including the fact that the virus survives for longer periods indoors in winter because the relative humidity of indoor air is very low in comparison with the outside air.

Researchers in Virginia found that humidity could explain influenza’s seasonality by controlling the ability of viruses to remain infectious while they are in droplet or aerosol form.

Viruses survive best in low humidity, such as indoors in winter, and in extremely high humidity.

Humidity affects fluid’s composition, namely the concentrations of salts and proteins in respiratory droplets, and this affects the virus’s survival rates.

Its droplets can also infect by landing on sensitive body areas such as the eyes, nose or mouth, or on environmental surfaces that are then touched by other people.

Apart from this, in winter we tend to spend less time outside and have closer contact with each other, which makes it easier for the flu virus to spread.

After the Christmas holidays, children return to school and, if infected, they can spread influenza to other pupils and then on to their families.

Flu is a highly contagious disease as it is spread when you either inhale infected droplets in the air – distributed every time an infected person coughs or sneezes – or when you come into direct contact with an infected person’s secretions, by kissing, touching and sharing objects such as spoons and forks.

You can also transfer the virus by touching smooth surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, television remotes, computer keyboards and telephones. Then, when you touch your nose, eyes, or mouth, the flu virus gets absorbed.

Prevention includes washing your hands frequently, staying away from school or work when sick, careful disposal of tissues and avoiding close contact with infected people.

Flu and common colds take their time to leave the body but some remedies are available to help improve symptoms.

Antibiotics will not work as these are useless against viruses.

Elderly people and those who have chronic conditions need to be extra careful if they catch influenza as it may cause complications, so speaking to your family doctor is important.

Debunking the myths

Dr Charmaine Gauchi separates fact from fiction

You can catch influenza by having the vaccine

The flu jab is made from an inactivated virus that cannot transmit infection. So people who get sick after receiving a flu vaccination were going to get sick anyway. It takes a week or two to get protection from the vaccine, but people assume the shot caused their illness when they may have already caught it. It may well be a virus that causes common cold and not a flu virus.

Feed a cold, starve a fever

Being sick often kills your appetite but it is important to stay hydrated and get enough calories. Food provides the body with fuel to cope with illness, so it is good to eat healthy and well.

You will get ill if you do not wear a coat outside in winter

Colds and flu are caused by viruses. They do circulate during cold weather seasons, but you are more likely to pick them up inside than outside. In fact, going outside and getting more physical activity may help prevent sickness.

A wet head can make you sick

The only way to catch the flu is by being exposed to the influenza virus. The flu season coincides with the cold weather. So people often associate the flu with a cold, draft environment. But they are not related.

Don’t take medicine for a cold

Many people believe that displaying the physical symptoms of a cold helps to get over the sickness quickly. But the truth is that the symptoms not only make no difference to the duration of the cold, but they can help spread the bug to other people through nose-blowing and coughing. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for help.

If a high fever lasts more than two days, you need antibiotics

Antibiotics work well against bacteria but they are not effective for a viral infection like the flu. Then again, some people develop a bacterial infection as a complication of the flu, so it may be a good idea to get checked out if your symptoms drag on or worsen.