Vaccine is a word we hear about from time to time, but it is especially during the flu season when you hear and see the “V” word a lot more in the news media. Unfortunately, we are never fully prepared for it when the flu season begins. These vaccines are not made in one day like most drugs are when more is needed. This is the reason why sometimes there is a very limited quantity of vaccine around when the flu season hit. It takes time to make more vaccine when the supply runs low. Also, the virus strain is different from year to year for influenza virus due to mutation.

It is a widespread misconception that colds are caused by bacteria. Colds are actually triggered by a virus, which means if your physician prescribes you an antibiotic, it will be absolutely useless. Most uncomplicated colds last between eight and nine days, but about 25 percent last two weeks, and 5-10 percent last three weeks. Even the most stubborn colds will typically resolve in a few weeks' time; this is actually one of the ways you can distinguish a cold from allergies.