Research
Research review
Every cold-and-flu season brings new headlines: “scientists have found a way”, “the remedy doctors won't tell you about”, “instant protection for life”. You do not need medical training to make sense of them, as long as you know a few simple questions to ask of any health story.
The louder the promise, the more calmly it deserves to be checked: real science rarely says “guaranteed” and almost never says “for everyone”.
What is known in general terms
| Topic | What WHO information says | What we do not claim |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | The virus spreads through coughs, sneezes and contaminated hands | That any single measure gives complete protection |
| Season | In temperate climates, epidemics happen mainly in winter | Exactly when an epidemic will start in your town |
| Course of illness | Most people recover in about a week | How a particular person's illness will go |
| Flu jab | Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu and is recommended every year | Whether you personally need the jab: that is for your doctor to decide |
| Risk groups | Pregnant women, young children, older people and people with chronic conditions face a higher risk | How high the risk is for any one person |
How to read a story about a “miracle remedy”
Who carried out the study?
A trustworthy news story links to the scientific paper and makes it clear which organisation did the work. If the source is just “foreign scientists” with no names or institutions, be on your guard.
Who or what was it tested on?
Experiments on cells or animals and observations of a small group of people are only the beginning. Their findings cannot be applied to all adults and children.
What was it compared with?
A reliable test compares a remedy with a placebo or with the usual approach. Without that comparison it is hard to know whether the remedy helped or the person simply got better on their own, as usually happens.
What are you being asked to do?
If the text ends with an order button or a promo code, you are probably looking at a sales pitch rather than science news. Serious articles advise you to discuss any decision with your doctor.
How do the promises sound?
“Forever”, “instantly”, “no side effects” and “for the whole family” are the language of sales copy. Medicine usually speaks more cautiously.
Myths worth forgetting
- “Antibiotics will help you get over flu faster”: antibiotics do not work against viruses, and flu and colds are caused by viruses
- “You have to sweat it out and keep warm”: these are family rituals, not treatment; your doctor will tell you what is and is not advisable with a fever
- “Flu is just a bad cold”: flu can be severe and lead to pneumonia, especially in people in risk groups
- “One jab lasts for years”: protection wanes over time and the viruses change, which is why WHO recommends a flu jab every year
- “If you keep going to work, the illness will pass unnoticed”: at home people recover faster and do not infect others
Read next
- Home care
Caring for someone who is ill without medicines: rest, fluids, fresh air, their own cup and towel, and close attention.
- Sources
What the guide is based on, where its limits lie and how to make good use of it during the cold-and-flu season.
- Glossary
Flu and cold vocabulary in plain English, from incubation period and strain to placebo and sick note.
- Topics
Flu, other respiratory viruses, lingering coughs, the flu season and risk groups, topic by topic, plus our article catalogue.
Sources
- WHO — Influenza (seasonal) fact sheet
- Russian health authorities and the health authority of your country — general recommendations
This page is based on general information about seasonal flu available at the time of writing. Advice is updated every season, so check with your doctor what is right for you and your family.