Chances are you’ve heard about a food, drug or other method that claims to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19. But while it might be tempting to use a questionable product or treatment to stay healthy during the pandemic, it’s extremely unlikely to work and might cause serious harm.
While researchers are studying many COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, none has been fully tested for safety or effectiveness. Any claims that a medication, herbal supplement or other substance can prevent or cure COVID-19 are not true. As misinformation continues to circulate about ways to treat this disease, be cautious of what you read.
Age: People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. The World Health Organization advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
Mosquitos: To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.
Garlic: Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
Alcohol/Chlorine: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
Rinsing your nose with saline: There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus. There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.
Vaccines/Medications: To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.
The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against COVID-19, and the World Health Organization is supporting their efforts. Although these vaccines are not effective against COVID-19, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.
Cold: There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 97.7°F to 98.6°F, regardless of the external temperature or weather.
Heat: From the evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in all areas, including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19.
Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 97.7°F to 98.6°F, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you.
Ultraviolet disinfection lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation. Hand dryers are also not effective in killing the COVID-19.
Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus. However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between two and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.
Fact:
The most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.
By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
Leave a Reply