The novel coronavirus has caused an outbreak of illness that started in December 2019 in China and spread to other countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a global health emergency at the end of last month.
There is a lot of information circulating and if you are concerned about keeping yourself and your family healthy and safe then it’s important to know what’s true and what’s not.
To help you better understand what’s happening and cut through the confusion, here are some common myths, clarified with information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO. Both organizations are working with experts on learning more about the virus.
Myth– Hand dryers are effective in killing the new coronavirus.
Fact- No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. 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– Ultraviolet disinfection lamp can kill the new coronavirus.
Fact- UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
Myth- Thermal scanners are not effective in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus.
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 a fever. This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.
Myth– Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kills the new 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- It is not safe to receive a letter or a package from China.
Fact- No it is safe. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. From the previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.
Myth- Pets at home spread the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
Fact- At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans
Myth- Vaccines against pneumonia can protect you against the new coronavirus.
Fact- No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not protect 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 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts.
Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.
Myth- Regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus.
Fact- No. No evidence of 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- Eating garlic can help prevent infection with the new coronavirus.
Fact- Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, no evidence from the current outbreak eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
Myth– Putting on sesame oil blocks the new coronavirus from entering the body.
Fact- No. Sesame oil does not kill the new coronavirus. Some chemical disinfectants can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. These include bleach/chlorine-based disinfectants, either solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid, and chloroform.
However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.
Myth– The new coronavirus affects only older people, younger people are safe.
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.
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.
Myth- Antibiotics are effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus.
Fact- No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.
The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.
However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.
Myth- There are specific medicines to prevent and treat the new coronavirus.
Fact-To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
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 will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners.
Source- World Health Organization
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