7 Health Myths Filipinos Still Believe (Fact-Checked)

"Cold drinks and cold weather cause colds and flu" — colds and flu are caused by viruses, not temperature. Cold weather correlates with more time spent indoors in close contact with others, which is the real transmission driver.

"You need to 'sweat out' a fever by bundling up" — for most fevers, this can actually make you more uncomfortable and risk overheating; light clothing and normal room temperature are generally better.

"Antibiotics help with colds and flu" — both are viral, and antibiotics only work against bacteria; overusing them contributes to antibiotic resistance without helping you recover faster. "Detox" teas and juices flush out toxins" — your liver and kidneys already do this; no tea or juice cleanse has been shown to meaningfully add to that function. "Going out with wet hair makes you sick" — again, it's viruses, not wet hair, that cause illness. When in doubt about a piece of health advice you've heard for years, asking a doctor directly is a faster path to a real answer than guessing.