The 3 Biggest Myths About the Common Cold, According to a Doctor

“The most common thing I hear from patients is that they need antibiotics (like a Z-pack) to treat their cold,” Natasha Bhuyan, MD, a family medicine physician based in Phoenix, AZ, and regional medical director at One Medical told POPSUGAR. “Taking antibiotics will not help cure a cold because colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are intended to treat bacterial infections. While some complications from cold and flu, like bacteria pneumonia, do require antibiotics, taking them for the common cold will do little to relieve symptoms or shorten the lifespan of a cold. If you’re feeling feverish or achy, try an over-the-counter pain reliever.

“This is 100 percent wrong,” Dr. Bhuyan said. “The flu vaccine cannot cause a cold or the flu, and it’s the best way to protect ourselves from the flu.” The flu shot contains a strain of virus that has been killed or weakened, which wouldn’t leave you feeling ill. If you do feel sick after getting the shot, it’s more likely that you were exposed to a virus just before or after being vaccinated. It takes about two weeks for your body to produce the antibodies that help keep you protected from the flu, and the vaccine isn’t designed to fend off the common cold. Still haven’t gotten your flu shot? It’s never too late.

There are some natural fixes that can help ease cold symptoms like congestion and coughing (think: warm tea or a steamy shower), but they’re not a magic cure. “There is research around supplements and natural remedies [such as vitamin C and zinc] that can potentially shorten the duration of a cold or the flu, but nothing can treat a cold aside from your own immune system,” Dr. Bhuyan explained. This means your best bet for fending off a cold is keeping your immune system strong by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and perhaps the most important cold prevention tip: regularly washing your hands.