Ever hear the phrase, “feed a cold, starve a fever?” Although it sounds believable enough, science continues to show us that the best defense against any virus has to do with your lifestyle, diet and exercise, not just mom’s chicken soup.

Here are five popular cold and flu myths, debunked:

1. Flu vaccines cause the flu.

False. Flu vaccines are made from an inactive virus that cannot transmit infection, according to the Center for Disease Control. People who get sick after receiving the vaccine were, unfortunately,already heading for an unrelated cold virus, say experts.  It takes about two weeks for your body to produce the antibodies that protect you against influenza virus infection.

2. Feed a cold, starve a fever.

False. Extra fluids are essential when you have the flu, a cold or a fever. You may have less appetite but starving yourself and limiting your body to poor nutrition will not help you get better. Eat and drink up!

3. If you’ve had the flu once, you won’t get it again.

False. Just because you’ve had the flu once this season doesn’t mean you won’t get it again. There is usually Type A and Type B influenza in circulation, so it’s possible to get either or both strains.

4. Sleep helps recovery.

True! We’ve all wondered, does sleep really help us get well? According to experts (see below for sources), yes, sleep helps maintaining a healthy immune system. If symptoms (like coughing or a fever) are keeping you from shut eye however, see your doctor or pharmacist for remedies that might help alleviate them.

This flu and cold season, don’t just load up on tissues and cough medicine―keep up with a healthy diet, fluids, rest and regular exercise. Prevention, as they say, is the best medicine. Now that’s a fact.