One thing that may spread as fast as the flu itself are the misconceptions surrounding the bug. And unfortunately most, based on faulty medical knowledge or a partial understanding of influenza, can mean an increased risk of contracting and spreading the flu.

Here are ten flu misconceptions - and the realities:

Myth One: The vaccine can give you the flu. "Probably the most common and dangerous myth about the flu is that you can get it from the flu shot," says Dr. Lee Green of the University of Michigan's Department of Family Medicine in Ann Arbor, Mich. "This leads to some really high-risk patients endangering themselves." In fact, the vaccine can not give you a case of the flu, because it is made with inactivated organisms.

Myth Two: The vaccine is only for the elderly. The vaccine is for anyone who wants to reduce their chance of getting the flu this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu vaccine particularly for children aged 6-23 months, pregnant women in the second or third trimester, people with chronic medical conditions and the elderly.

Myth Three: It's too late to get the vaccine this season. It takes about two weeks for your body to make protective influenza antibodies. According to the CDC, the best time to get vaccinated is October or November, but getting the vaccine in December or later in the flu season will still protect you against the flu.

Myth Four: Taking vitamin C or echinacea will prevent the flu. Neither treatment has been conclusively proven to be effective against the flu.

Myth Five: Anti-bacterial soaps and hand sanitizing gels are effective preventatives. Antibacterial soaps are useless against the influenza virus. Sanitizing hand gels are also of limited benefit. Regular hand washing, however, is a simple and effective way to reduce the transmission of contagious diseases including the flu.

Click for more on the benefits of handwashing to fight infection

Myth Six: Going out in cold weather causes the flu. Cold weather gets a bad rap for causing colds and flu. While the influenza virus is more prevalent during the winter months, cold weather does not cause the flu.

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Myth Seven: There's no treatment except rest, aspirin and Mom's chicken soup. Mom's chicken soup may be great, but antiviral medications are now available from your physician if you come down with the flu. According to Dr. Greg Anderson of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., most people aren't aware of antivirals, which can have some benefit if started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Because they're not aware, Anderson adds, they don't come in early enough. The CDC also recommends that aspirin notbe given to children under the age of 18, as this may cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.

Myth Eight: Starve a cold, feed a fever. Either way, if you feel sick, drink plenty of fluids and eat sensibly, enough to satisfy your appetite.

Myth Nine: Take antibiotics to fight the flu. "The demand for useless antibiotics is endless. The flu is just one reason," says Green. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses like influenza. Doctors also warn that taking antibiotics will not prevent you from developing pneumonia, and it may increase your chances of getting a resistant strain of the disease.

Myth 10: Flu causes a number of illnesses, including stomach ailments. Doctors complain that people use the word "flu" to describe a number of symptoms that have nothing to do with influenza. "People commonly refer to various stomach bugs or any bad cold as the flu," says Green. "Most don't really know what influenza is: a severe respiratory viral illness."

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