DENVER - Whether it's blending garlic with orange juice, taking a shot of whiskey or eating enough tablets of Vitamin C to equal your body weight, everyone seems to have a quick-fix suggestion for the cold and flu. We took some common assumptions and theories to Dr. John Torres to see which ones held up.
"If you have a high fever you probably have the flu, not a cold."
TRUE: Doctor John says you can have a very mild fever with a cold, but fevers above 100 degrees almost always indicate the influenza virus.
"Exercise is bad when you are sick."
MOSTLY FALSE: Dr. John says a little exercise during the onset of the virus can actually be good when you have the flu or a cold because it raises your body temperature, which can help break down the protein that feeds and houses the virus. However, he warns if you overdo it or wait until you are in the middle of the cold or flu, it can make you feel worse.
"All antibacterial products are good to use when you, coworkers or family members are sick."
FALSE: Not all products are good says, Dr. John. The gels that have alcohol are great because they kill germs on contact, but the antibacterial soaps are ineffective and may even create antibacterial-resistant super bugs.
"Vitamin C does not help you when you're already sick."
TRUE: Doctor John says taken regularly and over time, Vitamin C can help build your immunity, but once you are already sick, taking a bunch of Vitamin C will not help you get better any faster. The only thing proven to do that is Zinc. He specifies that you should take Zinc lozenges, not the nasal spray, because some studies have shown that people can lose their sense of smell with prolonged use of the spray.
"You know that old saying, 'Feed a fever, starve a cold?' It works.'"
FALSE: Doctor John says you should never starve yourself when you are sick. If you don't feel like eating because you're nauseous, it's OK. But you should be eating well and more importantly, hydrating. On the food note, chicken soup is very good for you because it has amino acids that break down mucus, and it's hydrating.
"A 'Hot Toddy' with a bit of whiskey can help if you're sick."
TRUE: Doctor John says the old whiskey trick can help, but if you do consume alcohol, it should be a very small amount because it can dehydrate the body.
"Pouring peroxide in your ear can help kill the virus."
FALSE: This remedy found in some places online does nothing to help attack an infection. Dr. John says it can actually break down ear wax and destroy good tissue that can help ward off an ear infection.
Dr. John says overall, besides using Zinc lozenges, rest and hydration, there is little you can do for a cold or flu. Any treatments that are out of the ordinary should be run by a doctor before you try them.
To read more about how you can tell the difference between a cold and flu, see research on both infections and where and when the flu is hitting this year, head to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm.