for questions about claims based on the influenza virus (e.g. H1N1) and its cures.
Questions tagged [flu]
23 questions
53
votes
2 answers
Do people with flu shots shed the influenza virus more than those who aren't vaccinated?
This 2018 Collective Evolution article claims:
Once recent study, however, did bother to look at the question of whether the vaccine prevents transmission. Published on January 18, 2018, in the journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of…
Joshua Frank
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41
votes
3 answers
Is the flu more deadly than COVID-19 for children?
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya was quoted in this recent Foundation for Economic Education article:
In a debate last week with pro-lockdown Harvard epidemiologist, Marc
Lipsitch, Dr. Bhattacharya acknowledged that COVID-19 “is an
absolutely deadly disease…
Graviton
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20
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Does gargling salt water reduce incidence of flu?
Many of the more dubious health sites promote gargling salt water (or peroxide) and swabbing the nasal cavity as a 'natural' prevention for catching the 'flu. Is there any science behind this? I understand how it alleviates symptoms through reducing…
Richard A
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12
votes
3 answers
How reliable is the research behind the flu-vaccine?
There is significant noise claiming that flu shots are largely ineffective, especially against new strains of the flu (see, for example, this site). Both the arguments for, and against, flu shots, claim significant backing from existing…
blueberryfields
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1 answer
Did 25 people die because of H1N1 vaccine of 1976?
From Wikipedia:
The 1976 swine flu outbreak, also known as the swine flu fiasco, or
the swine flu debacle, was a strain of H1N1 influenza virus that
appeared in 1976. Infections were only detected from January 19 to
February 9, and were not…
vartec
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11
votes
0 answers
Does sweating help to cure the flu
Many people advise you to put some warm clothes on, get under the blankets and sweat a lot to help cure flu/fever.
On one hand there is a lot of opinion on the Internet saying that it does not work, on the other I heard this advice from medical…
bjedrzejewski
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10
votes
1 answer
If a healthy person passionately kisses (i.e. makes out with) a person with the flu, can it be assumed that they're sick?
There are different strains and each person has a different immune system, but often I hear phrases like "Oh well, we already kissed, so I'm probably already sick". How faulty (if at all) is this belief? Is there a general guideline on how much of…
Voriki
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9
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3 answers
Do disposable face masks prevent or significantly reduce the spread of disease?
Our local Pediatrician's office and General Practitioner's office both have a policy of giving a disposable face mask to each patient or visitor who has a noticeable cough or runny nose, and insist that it be worn before proceeding with…
Boris Nikolaevich
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9
votes
1 answer
Does inhaling steam from fresh-boiled potatoes help with a cold/flu cough or congestion?
Growing up in Russia, almost everyone I knew used this remedy. Here's Internet example.
Fortunately, half an hour is just enough time for you to boil a big pot of potatoes. Remove them from the heat, throw a towel over your head, and breathe the…
user5341
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8
votes
1 answer
Flu vaccination opponent attempts to assess effectiveness rather than efficacy
The following post was given to me on Facebook. I could use some help sifting some of it.
I do not promote the use of a flu vaccine. But it's not because "the
mercury" or "the formaldehyde," but rather because epidemiological
studies do not…
Tanoro
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7
votes
1 answer
Are flu shots harmful because they may contain antibiotics?
A webpage on Natural News claims that it is a bad idea to get a flu shot because certain flu shots contain antibiotics. It says:
The flu vaccines contain antibiotics such as neomycin, polymyxin B and
gentamicin which are added to eliminate stray…
Evan Siroky
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7
votes
1 answer
Do cold baths prevent flu?
A coworker of mine said that he never get any flu because he takes cold baths.
I found this (very pseudoscientific-like) link defending this theory:…
Brian Hellekin
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7
votes
1 answer
Can triple antibiotic ointment in the nostrils prevent flu?
I've seen this claim on Facebook a few times recently (it has 116k shares right now):
I was just reminded of a TIP for avoiding the flu when I worked in the
hospitals many years ago. Swab inside of each nostril with Triple
Antibiotic cream or…
Kip
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6
votes
0 answers
Is cinnamon an effective method to relieve the symptoms of the flu?
This article mentions that cinnamon is used to treat flu symptoms.
Is there scientific evidence it would be an effective method to treat the flu symptoms?
Larry Morries
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6
votes
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Does raising your body's temperature help cure flu?
I was discussing with a team mate on how to cure the (common) flu virus. We had a disagreement about the body temperature effect.
Con: Some argued that it's better to lower temperature, as it is a practice by nurses.
Pro: others argued it's better…
Édouard Lopez
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