Since the arrival of Coronavirus disease, there has been a flood of advices, do’s and dont’s reaching everyone of us. Social media is full of home remedies, talismans and what not to treat and prevent coronavirus disease.

By this article we have tried to provide you facts countering the popular myths circulating around more rapidly than the coronavirus itself. All our facts are based on scientific rationale and information available from World Health Organization (WHO), Centre for Disease Control etc.

 

Myth 1: Higher atmospheric temperature (> 25 °C) could affect transmission rate of COVID-19.

Fact: WHO has time and again informed that sunny or hot weather has no relation with the transmission of disease. Even countries with hot weathers have reported the cases of coronavirus infection.     

Myth 2: Wearing a mask can prevent COVID-19.

Fact: This is a fact that use of mask by healthy people helps to reduce potential exposure risk from infected person during the “pre-symptomatic” period.

However, as per WHO, current evidences do not suggest the wide use of masks by healthy people in community settings. Also, it carries uncertainties and associated critical risks as it creates false sense of security, with neglect of other essential measures, such as hand hygiene practices and physical distancing. This should be understood by everyone that, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection. If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with COVID-19. Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.

Having said that, it is highly recommended that the person shall adhere to the guidelines provided by national health authorities or local administration regarding usage of masks.

(Read: Face Masks and COVID 19 – Unmasking the masked for more clarity on various types of masks and their usage.)

Myth 3: Taking hot water bath prevents COVID-19.

Fact: Taking hot water bath is not going to prevent COVID-19 as normal body temperature is around 37 °C, regardless of the temperature of your bathing water.

Myth 4: Drinking alcohol protects against COVID-19.

Fact: Drinking alcohol does not protect against COVID-19 rather excessive alcohol consumption may cause other health problems.

Myth 5: Consuming meat causes COVID-19.

Fact: There is no scientific evidence that consuming meat causes COVID-19. European Food Safety Association has said that there is no scientific proof so far that coronavirus can spread through food.

Myth 6: Ability to hold breath for 10 seconds means you are free from COVID-19.

Fact: Ability to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort DOES NOT mean you are free from COVID-19 or any other lung disease. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are dry cough, tiredness and fever. Some people may develop more severe forms of the disease, such as pneumonia. The best way to confirm if you have the virus producing COVID-19 disease is with a laboratory test.  You cannot confirm it with this breathing exercise, which can even be dangerous. In many cases, it is observed that COVID-19 infected persons could hold their breath for more than 10 seconds.

Myth 7: Antibiotics are effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus.

Fact: No, antibiotics do not work against viruses. The new coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, in case of hospitalization, antibiotics may be administered to avoid bacterial co-infection.

Myth 8: Some specific medicines are available to prevent or treat COVID-19.

Fact: No, there are no medicines available to prevent or treat COVID-19. However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and are being tested through clinical trials.

Myth 9: Pneumonia vaccine can protect you against COVID-19.

Fact: No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the COVID-19. Research is ongoing to develop vaccine against COVID-19.

Myth 10: BCG vaccine can protect you against COVID-19.

Fact: No. there is no considerable evidence to prove that anti-tuberculosis BCG vaccine protects people against infection with COVID19 virus.

(Read: No Evidence to prove that BCG vaccine protects people against infection with COVID19 virus – WHO)

Myth 11: Garlic boosts immunity against COVID-19.

Fact: Although garlic is a healthy food but there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the COVID-19.

Myth 12: Mosquito bites can transmit COVID-19.

Fact: To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new coronavirus 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. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.

Myth 13: Hand dryers are effective in killing the new coronavirus.

Fact: No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the new coronavirus. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.

Myth 14: Parcels from China can spread Covid-19.

Fact: This is untrue. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. There is evidence that coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.

Myth 15: Thermal scanners can detect people suffering from Covid-19.

Fact: 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 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.

Myth 16: COVID-19 affects only elderly and not young people.

Fact: People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). 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.

Myth 17: Mobile networks spread COVID-19.

Fact: Viruses cannot travel on radio waves/mobile networks. COVID-19 is spreading in many countries that do not have 5G mobile networks. COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. People can also be infected by touching a contaminated surface and then their eyes, mouth or nose.

Myth 18: One cannot recover from Coronavirus.

Fact: Most of the people who catch COVID-19 can recover and eliminate the virus from their bodies. If you catch the disease, make sure you treat your symptoms. If you have cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.

Myth 19: Cold weather and snow kill coronavirus.

Fact: There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather.

Myth 20: UV disinfection lamp kills coronavirus.

Fact: UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.

Myth 21: Alcohol or chlorine spray all over your body kill the coronavirus.

Fact: No. 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.

Myth 22: Rinsing nose with Saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus.

Fact: No. 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.

Myth 23: Stomach acids kill the coronavirus.

Fact: The stomach or the acid in stomach has no role to play as the novel coronavirus affects our respiratory tract, leading to difficulty in breathing.

Myth 24: Indian immune system is better than the west and thus Indians will survive COVID-19 infection better.

Fact: Coronavirus is a novel virus and no one in the world has ever experienced it before, hence, this seems to be unlikely that there is any component of immunity in Indians that might protect them better than others.

Myth 25: Inhaling steam can prevent COVID-19 infection.

Fact: No. As there is no evidence available to support the claim.

Myth 26: Herbal remedies or Home remedies like consuming Ginger, lemon, honey, colloidal silver, vitamins, teas, and essential oils can treat COVID-19.

Fact: No. As there is no evidence available to support the claim.

Myth 27: Clapping hands creates vibrations that destroy the coronavirus.

Fact: Absolutely NOT.

Myth 28: Pets can spread the new coronavirus.

Fact: There is no evidence that dogs or pets play a role in the spread of this human disease or that they become sick. Further studies are underway to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19 virus. However, it is advisable to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets.

Myth 29: Vitamin C prevents COVID-19.

Fact: A healthy immune system is your best defence against pathogens, such as viruses. There is no evidence to prove that consuming citrus fruits containing Vitamin C prevents COVID-19. However, physicians suggest to consume a lot of fruits, citric or otherwise, as they contain a lot of other very useful nutrients that build up the immune systems.

Myth 30: Ibuprofen worsens COVID-19 symptoms.

Fact: No problem with taking Ibuprofen if having COVID-19 symptoms.