Welcome to Koyo’s series of trusted healthcare articles. If you need more personalised advice, you can chat with a Koyo doctor today.
Written by: Favour Francis | Reviewed by: Dr Ortega Ogomigo
Introduction
Have you ever been told to avoid drinking cold water because it’ll give you catarrh? Or heard someone say, ‘Just buy malaria drugs, your fever will calm down?’
If you grew up in Nigeria, chances are you’ve heard these and plenty of other health advice from parents, grandparents, neighbours, or even that one auntie in the family WhatsApp group. Most of it is shared with good intentions. After all, everyone wants to help.
The problem is that not everything we’ve always believed about health is actually true. Some of these beliefs have been passed down for generations without medical evidence to back them up. Others have spread through social media or word of mouth until they’ve become accepted as fact.
While some health tips are harmless, others can lead to self-medication, delay the right treatment, or even make an illness worse.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common health myths Nigerians still believe.
Myth #1: Every Fever Means You Have Malaria
Because malaria is common, it’s easy to assume every fever is caused by it, but that’s not always right.
The Fact
A fever is simply a sign that your body is fighting something. While malaria is one possible cause, it isn’t the only one. Fever can also be caused by:
- Viral infections like the flu or COVID-19
- Bacterial infections
- Typhoid fever
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Pneumonia
- Other illnesses that require different treatments
Treating yourself for malaria without getting tested could mean you’re treating the wrong illness. For example, taking malaria medicine won’t help if your fever is caused by a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics. Likewise, taking antibiotics “just in case” won’t treat malaria and can do more harm than good.
That’s why healthcare professionals recommend getting tested before starting treatment whenever possible.
Myth #2: Antibiotics Can Prevent Pregnancy
In Nigeria, many people believe that taking antibiotics after unprotected sex can prevent pregnancy or “wash out” anything that may cause pregnancy. Others worry that taking antibiotics can stop them from getting pregnant in the future.
The Fact
Antibiotics do not prevent pregnancy and should never be used as a form of contraception.
Antibiotics are medicines used to treat certain bacterial infections. They do not stop ovulation, prevent sperm from fertilising an egg, or work like contraceptive methods such as condoms, birth control pills, implants, or injections.
If you have had unprotected sex and want to prevent pregnancy, antibiotics will not help. Depending on the situation, you may need to consider emergency contraception or speak with a healthcare professional about your options.
It is also important to know that while most antibiotics do not affect birth control, a few specific medicines can reduce the effectiveness of some hormonal contraceptives. This is why it is important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.
Myth #3: Drinking Cold Water Causes Catarrh or Cough
This is something many of us grew up hearing, but is it actually true?
The Fact
Catarrh, colds, and most coughs are usually caused by viruses, not by drinking cold water. Allergies, dust, and pollution can also trigger catarrh-like symptoms.
Cold water may temporarily make an already sore throat feel uncomfortable for some people, but it doesn’t cause viral infections.
Myth #4: Herbal Remedies Are Always Safe Because They’re Natural
Many Nigerian families use herbal remedies, and some have been used for generations. But “natural” doesn’t automatically mean “safe.”
The Fact
Some herbs may have health benefits, but many haven’t been thoroughly studied. Others can interact with prescription medicines, damage the liver or kidneys when taken in large amounts, or delay proper treatment for serious illnesses.
Using herbal remedies instead of seeking medical care can sometimes make an illness worse.
Myth #5: You Can’t Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding
Many Nigerian mothers have heard that breastfeeding is a natural way to prevent pregnancy after childbirth. This belief is common because breastfeeding can affect a woman’s hormones and may delay the return of her menstrual cycle.
The Fact
Breastfeeding can delay ovulation, but it doesn’t guarantee protection against pregnancy.
Some women can become pregnant before their first period returns after childbirth. Exclusive breastfeeding can reduce the chances of pregnancy under specific conditions, but it isn’t reliable for everyone.
Myth #6: Sleeping Under a Fan For Long Makes You Sick
‘Don’t sleep directly under the fan, you’ll wake up with catarrh or cold’. This belief is common because some people notice they feel congested or wake up uncomfortable after sleeping under a fan for long.
However, the fan itself is not what causes these illnesses.
The Fact
Fans don’t cause viral infections. Colds, flu, and other respiratory infections are caused by viruses that spread from person to person, not by exposure to cold air.
That said, sleeping directly under a fan for long periods can make some people feel uncomfortable. The moving air may dry out your nose, throat, or skin, especially if you already have allergies or are sensitive to dry air. This may make existing symptoms feel worse, but it does not mean the fan has caused an infection.
If you wake up with catarrh, cough, or body aches, it is more likely that you were exposed to a virus, dust, allergens, or another trigger, not that the fan made you sick.
From the desk of Koyo Doctors
Most health myths come from people who care about us, and they are often shared because someone believed they were helping.
But as our understanding of health continues to grow, it is important to ask questions and update what we know. The advice that worked for one person or was passed down for years may not always be the best choice for your health today.
The next time you hear a health tip that sounds surprising, take a moment to check the facts before acting on it. A little research can help you make better choices for yourself and the people you love.
