Coronavirus (COVID-19): Know the Myths and Facts

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by coronavirus. Most people who are infected with the COVID-19 virus experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without any special treatment.  Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

The best way to prevent yourself is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face. 

The COVID-19 virus spreads mainly through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

Presently, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials gauging potential treatments.

Common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)

The COVID-19 virus affects different people in different ways. 

Common symptoms include:

• fever
• tiredness
• dry cough.

Other symptoms include:

• shortness of breath
• aches and pains
• sore throat
• and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-isolate and contact their medical provider or a COVID-19 information line for advice on testing and referral.

People with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should call their doctor and seek medical attention.

How can you prevent coronavirus (COVID-19)?

To prevent infection and to slow down the transmission of COVID-19, do the following:

1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub. It kills viruses that may be on your hands.
2. Maintain at least 1 metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing. When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
3. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
4. Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then, dispose of the used tissue immediately.
5. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
6. Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
7. Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

Debunking Coronavirus Myths

Today, everyone is talking about coronavirus. As a result, many myths about the virus are circulating on social media. These myths need to be debunked.

Myth 1. Spraying chlorine or alcohol on skin kills viruses in the body

This is not true. Applying alcohol or chlorine on your body can be really harmful, especially if it enters your eyes or mouth. Chlorine and alcohol are used to disinfect surfaces. You should not apply them on your skin. They do not kill viruses in the body.

Myth 2: Everyone has to wear a mask

Dr Randeep Guleria, director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) clarified that a healthy person does not have to wear a mask unless he comes in contact with someone who is infected or symptomatic of the infection. Also, a healthy person does not need an N95 mask, but can manage with a surgical mask.

Myth 3: Drink hot water or alcohol

Some people believe that constantly drinking hot water or the consumption of alcohol can prevent Coronavirus infection, as the virus does not survive in the heat. Dr Guleria explained that Covid-19 has got nothing to do with temperature and there is no remedy yet to cure it.

Myth 4. Only older adults and young people are at risk

COVID-19 can infect people of any age. But, older adults or individuals with prior health conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, are more likely to catch the disease.

Myth 5: Virus gets worse during rain

Weather conditions and Coronavirus are not linked, clarified Dr Guleria. “This infection has spread in warm countries like Singapore and cold countries like Italy and South Korea alike. Only proper infection control measures have any impact on the control or spread of this virus.

Myth 6: Do not consume meat

Coronavirus involves human-to-human transmission and has got nothing to do with animals, clarified Dr Guleria. “This virus has jumped species and now only spreads from one human to another. And thus, cannot be caused by the consumption of meat,” said Dr Guleria.

Myth 7. Everyone with COVID-19 dies

This is absolutely wrong. COVID-19 is deadly only for a small percentage of people. The WHO report that around 80% of people will experience a relatively mild form of the disease, which will not    require specialist treatment in a hospital. Mild symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness, and shortness of breath.

Myth 8. Hand dryers kill coronavirus

Hand dryers do not kill coronavirus. The best way to protect yourself and others from the virus is to wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

Myth 9. You have to be with someone for 10 minutes to catch the virus

The longer someone is with an infected person, the more likely they are to catch the virus, but it is still possible to catch it in less than 10 minutes.

Myth 10. Rinsing the nose with saline protects against coronavirus

There is no evidence that a saline nose rinse protects against respiratory infections. Some research suggests that this technique might reduce the symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infections, but scientists have not found that it can reduce the risk of infection.

Myth 11. Antibiotics kill coronavirus

Antibiotics only kill bacteria; they do not kill viruses.

Myth 12. Thermal scanners can diagnose coronavirus

Thermal scanners can detect whether a person has a fever or not. Not only coronavirus but seasonal flu can also produce fever. In addition, symptoms of COVID-19 can appear 2–10 days after infection, which means that someone infected with the virus could have a normal temperature for a few days before a fever begins.

Myth 13. Garlic protects against coronaviruses

Some research suggests that garlic might slow the growth of some species of bacteria. However, COVID-19 is caused by a virus, and there is no evidence that garlic can protect people against COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports

To know the daily report of coronavirus across the world, click here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports

Stay home, stay safe!