BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM

You’ve heard the warnings: cold and flu season is no joke. But despite our best intentions (and fully stocked vitamin C stash), plenty of us still fall into avoidable traps when trying to fend off seasonal bugs.

Sure, COVID has dominated the conversation for years, and for good reason, but the flu and common cold never really left the chat. In fact, experts say it’s time we stop underestimating them. “The reality is [people] should be scared of influenza,” says Dr. Steven Lamm, internist and director of NYU Langone’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health. Not terrified, but let’s say… respectfully cautious.

So if you’re hoping to dodge the sniffles, steer clear of these seven mistakes infectious disease experts really wish people would stop making.

1. Underestimating the flu like it’s a harmless inconvenience

We get it! Compared to the early panic of the COVID era, the flu might feel like the flu-light. But that’s exactly the problem. “People are underestimating the seriousness of influenza,” says Dr. Lamm, who adds that this mindset leads to a “cascade effect” of bad decisions.

Not only can the flu send you to bed for a week, but it can trigger long-term symptoms like brain fog and fatigue in some people, a phenomenon Dr. Lamm calls “long influenza.” Even scarier: research shows that having the flu quadruples your risk of a heart attack shortly afterward.

Do this instead:

Treat flu season like the serious health risk it is. Keep up with current research, and remember that both flu and COVID can cause downstream complications like heart attacks or strokes, even in people who seem otherwise healthy.

2. Skipping the flu shot because “I never get sick”

Ah yes, the classic. But your clean track record doesn’t make you invincible. “People think that the flu vaccine prevents you from getting the flu,” says Dr. Lamm. The reality is is, is that it doesn’t offer total immunity, but it does dramatically lower your risk of severe illness or hospitalization.

Even if you do get sick post-vaccine, the shot can make your case much milder. “You can feel pretty comfortable that things are going to go okay unless you are older or severely immunocompromised,” he says.

Do this instead:

Aim to get vaccinated by November or December before flu activity peaks in January or February, advises Dr. Allison Agwu, infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins. Confused or hesitant? Ask your doctor. “Try to keep an open mind about your medical opinions,” Dr. Lamm says. You don’t have to know everything, you just need to be willing to ask.

3. Powering through your symptoms like a hero (or martyr)

“I think it comes from being in a society where a lot of people can’t take that time off,” Dr. Agwu says. Still, ignoring early cold or flu symptoms and pushing through your schedule can make you sicker and more contagious. Going to that dinner party with a sore throat? Congrats, you’ve just become patient zero.

Do this instead:

Take the sick day. (No, seriously. Take the sick day.) If you can’t skip work entirely, scale back where you can. “It’s not just not going to work, but it’s not going and partying when you feel the itch in your throat,” Dr. Agwu says. Be a good human. Keep your butt at home.

4. Treating vitamin C like it’s a cure-all

We love a fizzy wellness drink as much as the next person, but moderation matters. While vitamin C can shorten a cold, more isn’t always better. “Vitamin C can cause diarrhea and stomach distress,” Dr. Agwu notes. In fact, that’s kind of what you can expect if you’re chugging multiple 1000mg packets a day.

Do this instead:

Focus on getting vitamin C from food like oranges, broccoli, and tomatoes. Or stick to no more than 2,000 mg per day, per Mayo Clinic guidelines. One Emergen-C is fine. Three? Your bathroom might disagree.

5. Mixing meds and “natural” remedies without doing your homework

Ginger tea and elderberry might seem harmless (and often are) but if you’re also on blood thinners or other medications, you might be walking into trouble. Dr. Lamm explains that “for the most part, [home remedies] are safe. There’s just very little evidence-based data that they make much of a difference.”

Do this instead:

Don’t panic, but do check. “Make sure that you check with your provider or do the research as to whether there are any drug interactions,” says Dr. Agwu. Just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it plays nice with your prescriptions.

6. Mocking the “happy birthday” hand-washing trick

Yes, it’s been memed to death but singing “Happy Birthday” while scrubbing your hands is legit. “We realized during COVID… we had very low incidences of influenza,” Dr. Lamm says. All those precautions? They worked.

Do this instead:

Stick to the basics. Wash your hands for 20 seconds minimum, avoid touching your face, wear a mask in tight spaces, and keep your immune system humming with rest, nutrition, and movement. “These things actually are important,” Dr. Agwu reminds us.

7. Skipping the doctor when you’re high-risk

If you’re over 65, immunocompromised, have asthma or diabetes, or even just smoke, your flu risk is higher. In those cases, antiviral meds can make a huge difference, but only if taken early. “It’s very important that you do not delay,” says Dr. Lamm. These medications are most effective within the first 48 hours of symptoms.

Do this instead:

At the first sign of something nasty, call your doctor. This is a non-negotiable if you’re high-risk. “Don’t delay by taking a whole bunch of herbal things,” Dr. Lamm adds. The biggest danger is wasting precious time when treatment could help the most.

The bottom line

Cold and flu season isn’t a vibe, but you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through it. With smart habits (and zero eye-rolls during hand-washing), you can lower your risk of getting seriously sick and avoid spreading germs to everyone else in the process.

You don’t need to live in a bubble. Just wash your hands, get your shot, and maybe rethink that second packet of vitamin C.