COVID-19 myth busters

TellZim Reporter

Vitamin and
mineral supplements cannot cure COVID-19 

Micronutrients, such as vitamins D
and C and zinc, are critical for a well-functioning immune system and play a
vital role in promoting health and nutritional well-being.  There is
currently no guidance on the use of micronutrient supplements as
a treatment of COVID-19.

WHO is coordinating efforts to develop
and evaluate medicines to treat COVID-19.

Studies show hydroxychloroquine
does not have clinical benefits in treating COVID-19

Hydroxychloroquine
or chloroquine, a treatment for malaria, lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid
arthritis, has been under study as a possible treatment for COVID-19. Current
data shows that this drug does not reduce deaths among hospitalised COVID-19
patients, nor help people with moderate disease. The use of hydoxychloroquine and
chloroquine is accepted as generally safe for patients with malaria and
autoimmune diseases, but its use where not indicated and without medical
supervision can cause serious side effects and should be avoided.

More
decisive research is needed to assess its value in patients with mild disease
or as pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis in patients exposed to COVID-19.

People should NOT wear masks
while exercising 

People
should NOT wear masks when exercising, as masks may reduce the
ability to breathe comfortably.

Sweat
can make the mask become wet more quickly which makes it difficult to breathe
and promotes the growth of microorganisms. The important preventive
measure during exercise is to maintain physical distance of at least one meter
from others.

The likelihood of shoes
spreading COVID-19 is very low

The
likelihood of COVID-19 being spread on shoes and infecting individuals is very
low. As a precautionary measure, particularly in homes where infants and small
children crawl or play on floors, consider leaving your shoes at the entrance
of your home. This will help prevent contact with dirt or any waste that could
be carried on the soles of shoes.

The coronavirus disease
(COVID-19) is caused by a virus, NOT by bacteria

The
virus that causes COVID-19 is in a family of viruses called Coronaviridae.
Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

Some
people who become ill with COVID-19 can also develop a bacterial infection as a
complication. In this case, antibiotics may be recommended by a health care
provider.

There
is currently no licensed medication to cure COVID-19. If you have symptoms,
call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline for assistance.

The prolonged use of medical
masks* when properly worn, DOES NOT cause CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency

The
prolonged use of medical masks can be uncomfortable. However, it does not lead
to CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency. While wearing a medical mask, make
sure it fits properly and that it is tight enough to allow you to breathe
normally. Do not re-use a disposable mask and always change it as soon as it
gets damp.

*
Medical masks (also known as surgical masks) are flat or pleated; they are
affixed to the head with straps or have ear loops.

Most people who get COVID-19
recover from it

Most
people who get COVID-19 have mild or moderate symptoms and can recover thanks
to supportive care. If you have a cough, fever and difficulty breathing seek
medical care early – call your health facility by telephone first. If you have
fever and live in an area with malaria or dengue seek medical care immediately.

Drinking alcohol does not
protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous

The
harmful use of alcohol increases your risk of health problems.

Thermal scanners CANNOT detect
COVID-19

Thermal
scanners are effective in detecting people who have a fever (i.e. have a higher
than normal body temperature). They cannot detect people who are infected with
COVID-19. There are many causes of fever. Call your healthcare provider if you
need assistance or seek immediate medical care if you have fever and live in an
area with malaria or dengue.

Adding pepper to your soup or
other meals DOES NOT prevent or cure COVID-19

Hot
peppers in your food, though very tasty, cannot prevent or cure COVID-19. The
best way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is to keep at least 1
metre away from others and to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. It is
also beneficial for your general health to maintain a balanced diet, stay well
hydrated, exercise regularly and sleep well.

COVID-19 is NOT transmitted
through houseflies

To
date, there is no evidence or information to suggest that the COVID-19 virus
transmitted through houseflies. The virus that cause COVID-19 spreads primarily
through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.
You can also become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then
touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands. To protect
yourself, keep at least 1-metre distance from others and disinfect frequently-touched
surfaces. Clean your hands thoroughly and often and avoid touching your eyes,
mouth and nose.

Spraying and introducing bleach
or another disinfectant into your body WILL NOT protect you against
COVID-19 and can be dangerous

Do
not under any circumstance spray or introduce bleach or any other disinfectant
into your body. These substances can be poisonous if ingested and cause
irritation and damage to your skin and eyes.

Bleach
and disinfectant should be used carefully to disinfect surfaces only. Remember
to keep chlorine (bleach) and other disinfectants out of reach of children.

Drinking methanol, ethanol or
bleach DOES NOT prevent or cure COVID-19 and can be extremely dangerous

Methanol,
ethanol, and bleach are poisons. Drinking them can lead to disability and
death. Methanol, ethanol, and bleach are sometimes used in cleaning products to
kill the virus on surfaces – however you should never drink them. They will not
kill the virus in your body and they will harm your internal organs.

To
protect yourself against COVID-19, disinfect objects and surfaces, especially
the ones you touch regularly. You can use diluted bleach or alcohol for that.
Make sure you clean your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching
your eyes, mouth and nose.

5G mobile networks DO NOT
spread COVID-19

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. 

Exposing yourself to the sun or
temperatures higher than 25°C DOES NOT protect you from COVID-19

You
can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. Countries with
hot weather have reported cases of COVID-19. To protect yourself, make sure you
clean your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth,
and nose.  

Catching COVID-19 DOES NOT mean
you will have it for life

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 – but call
your health facility by telephone first. Most patients recover thanks to
supportive care.

Being able to hold your breath
for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort DOES NOT mean you
are free from COVID-19

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.

The COVID-19 virus can spread
in hot and humid climates

The
best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by maintaining physical
distance of at least 1 metre from others and frequently cleaning your hands. 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.

Cold weather and snow CANNOT
kill the COVID-19 virus

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. 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.

Taking a hot bath does not
prevent COVID-19

Taking
a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature
remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, 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. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by
frequently cleaning your hands. 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.

The COVID-19 virus CANNOT be
spread through mosquito bites

To
date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new
coronavirus 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.

Hand dryers are NOT effective
in killing the COVID-19 virus

Hand
dryers are not effective in killing the COVID-19 virus. To protect yourself,
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.

Ultra-violet (UV) lamps should
NOT be used to disinfect hands or other areas of your skin

UV
radiation can cause skin irritation and damage your eyes.

Cleaning
your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing your hands with soap and
water are the most effective ways to remove the virus.

Vaccines against pneumonia DO
NOT protect against the COVID-19 virus

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 WHO is supporting their
efforts.

Although
these vaccines are not effective against COVID-19, vaccination against
respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.

Rinsing your nose with saline
does NOT prevent COVID-19

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 the 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.

Eating garlic does NOT prevent
COVID-19

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.

People of all ages can be
infected by the COVID-19 virus

Older
people and younger people can be infected by the COVID-19 virus. Older people,
and people with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and
heart disease appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the
virus. 

WHO
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.

Antibiotics CANNOT prevent or
treat COVID-19

Antibiotics
work only against bacteria, not viruses.

COVID-19
is caused by a virus, and therefore antibiotics should not be used for
prevention or treatment.

However,
if you are hospitalized for COVID-19, you may receive antibiotics because
bacterial co-infection is possible. 

Source https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters