Health myths debunked
Springs’ friendly pharmacist, Bradley Reddy, has addressed some health myths people usually fall for.
Springs’ friendly pharmacist, Bradley Reddy, has addressed some health myths people usually fall for.
“Working in a primary healthcare facility we are often approached with developed ideas that prove to be misunderstood.
“I am here to debunk some of these myths.”
I need antibiotics for flu
Bradley says there are ways to differentiate between the common cold and the flu virus. Though both have overlapping symptoms i.e., runny or a blocked nose, sneezing, painful throats and sometimes, but not always, a cough.
“The influenza virus will present with fever, chills, body aches and general weakness (malaise). Overlapping symptoms can usually also be a result of a bacterial infection (normally a complication of the viral infection).”
He advises that if you have fever, chills and body aches you need to consult your family doctor who will prescribe an appropriate anti-viral or anti-bacterial agent if needed.
“If you are suffering from a common cold, treat symptomatically and do what you can to boost your body’s immune system.”
Vaccines make me sick
The main reason patients tend to hesitate to get vaccinated is that they have heard that people have fallen ill from getting a vaccine administered. Bradley says we need to understand that the vaccine is an active or inactive form of the pathogen.
A pathogen is an organism that causes disease in people.
“Vaccines are administered to build immunity towards that pathogen. However, if a patient’s immune system is compromised (e.g., they are already ill or have HIV and autoimmune conditions), the weakened pathogen can cause further degradation of your health.”
He advises that a person should be generally healthy and in good shape before getting vaccinated. Being in the cold or sleeping with wet hair gave me the flu.
This hypothesis has been tested by researchers in 2005, which showed that this is true in the event the person is already ill,” says Bradley.
“You will have to be exposed to the virus or bacteria to fall ill to an infection. However, being cold is not the ideal state for our warm-blooded selves and that can help the baddies make us sicker.”
I have a terrible bladder infection
“This common misunderstanding is mostly done by women.”
Bradley says it’s common for ladies to ask for advice on what medicine to use for ‘bladder infection’.
“Upon questioning they often complain of having an itch or sensitivity.”
He says this is most probably caused by an infection caused by yeast, bacteria or an imbalance of good versus bad bacteria.
“Bladder infections are a type of urinary tract infection whereby the common symptoms are discomfort over the lower abdomen, urine that burns, increased frequency of needing to use the toilet and nausea.”
Could I have gotten my STD from public toilets?
“Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are defined by the wording because they can only be transmitted by taking part in the ‘S’ part.”
Bradley says STDs are a group of infections which can only be spread via bodily fluids and organs below the belt during a physical exchange of romance.
“A healthcare professional would be able to diagnose this based on the symptoms presented. So please visit your health practitioner if you are ‘itching’ to know.”
