As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, thousands of people around the world continue to be affected and succumb to the virus. During these times we wanted to address some myths surrounding Coronavirus to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours about the virus.
MYTH #1: Coronavirus cannot be transmitted in hot and humid areas.
FACT: Coronavirus can affect all areas
Corona can spread in all areas and is not restricted to countries with colder climates. Adopting preventive measures like washing your hands and not touching your face, eyes and nose can help avoid infection. Numerous countries with temperatures as high as 35 degrees have also reported hundreds of cases of Coronavirus. Thus, proving at high temperatures alone will not help curb the virus.
Source: WHO
MYTH #2: Taking a hot bath or drinking hot water prevents Coronavirus
FACT: Taking hot baths or drinking hot water does not prevent Coronavirus
Taking hot baths or drinking hot water will not stop Coronavirus. These activities do not raise your body’s internal temperature, your body raises its internal temperature when it is infected to fight a virus. This is called a fever. Trying to induce the same response using hot water is more likely to harm you than do you any good. Hot baths and hot drinks will not be able to reach or kill the virus which lives within the cells in your body. Your body regulates its temperature very carefully and won’t allow it to raise much, despite hot drinks and baths.
Source: Babylon Health, Dr. Claudia Pastides
MYTH #3: Coronavirus only affects older people
FACT: Coronavirus affects people of all ages
People of all ages be can affected by Coronavirus. Older people with existing medical conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease are more likely to become severely ill with COVID-19. Children can also catch Coronavirus and some cases reported have been days old. They may showcase mild symptoms like fever, runny nose and cough. People tend to get more ill at extreme ages, as the quality of antibodies you produce at 75 is a lot worse than when you are 20. A lifetime of wear and tear takes its toll on the body’s organ making you less able to survive the infection.
Source: WHO
MYTH #4: Holding your breath for 10 seconds proves you do not have Coronavirus
FACT: Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds is not a self-diagnosis of Coronavirus
Viral online threads, Whatsapp forward messages, and Babajis have claimed that if you can hold your breath for 10 seconds without coughing, sneezing or feeling any discomfort, it proves that you don’t have Coronavirus. This claim is very misleading and has become severely popular among the masses. It is making them confident to leave their homes causing danger to others as well as themselves. Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds only implies that there is no lung involvement at this stage. It is, however, in no way a certificate to not having Coronavirus. The symptoms of the disease may surface later.
Source: Dr. Kishan Singh of Sardar Singh Memorial Hospital
MYTH #5: Eating garlic or taking antibiotics will prevent or treat Coronavirus
FACT: Eating garlic or taking antibiotics will NOT prevent or treat Coronavirus
Garlic or garlic water will not prevent Coronavirus. Although there are well-documented health benefits of garlic preventing Coronavirus isn’t one of them. Garlic is healthy food and has antimicrobial properties. However, no evidence of eating garlic has protected people from COVID-19. Similarly, antibiotics only work on bacteria and not viruses. Coronavirus is a virus, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for COVID-19 you may be prescribed antibiotics as bacterial co-infection is possible. People should, however, refrain from self- medicating using random antibiotics.
Source: WHO
Reetu416
Latest posts by Reetu416 (see all)
- The 7th Edition of the Ballet Expose to Return to Jaipur on 4 June - June 1, 2022
- Jaipur Filmmaker Manvendra Singh Shekhawat talks about his latest documentary ‘Stateless’ - July 14, 2021
- Senior Journalist, Dr. Tabeenah Anjum Discusses Role Of The Media During Pandemic in an Online Session - May 22, 2021
