As the novel coronavirus continues its march and infects people round the world, news articles and social media uploads about the virus still spread on the online. Unfortunately, this relentless flurry of posts can make it difficult to know the difference between what are the proper facts and which part is theory or fiction- and through an epidemic like this, rumours, speculations and false information are often very dangerous.
In this article, we’ve haunted some speculations about the novel Coronavirus and busted the myths around it as explained by the planet Health Organization (WHO).
COVID-19 virus are often transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
From the evidence thus far, the COVID-19 virus are often transmitted in ANY AREA, including areas with hot and humid weather. No matter the climate, adopt protective measures if you reside in, or visit a neighbourhood reporting COVID-19. The simplest procedure to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses which will get on your hands and avoid infection that would occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus.
There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill new coronavirus or other diseases. The traditional physical body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, no matter the external temperature or weather. The foremost effective thing 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 doesn’t prevent the new coronavirus disease
Taking a hot bath won’t prevent you from catching COVID-19. The standard body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, no matter the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a bath with extremely hot water is detrimental to health because it can burn you. The simplest way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that will get on your hands and avoid infection that might occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
The new coronavirus can’t be transmitted through mosquito bites.
To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus might be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new coronavirus is very much 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 guard 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.
Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?
No. Hand dryers aren’t effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. To guard yourself against the new coronavirus, you ought to frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you ought to dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.
Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus?
UV lamps shouldn’t be employed to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus?
Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people that have developed a fever (i.e. have a better than normal body temperature) due to infection with the new coronavirus.
However, they can’t detect people that are infected but aren’t yet sick with fever. The reason behind this is that it takes between 2 and 10 days before people that are infected become sick and develop a fever.
Can spraying alcohol or chlorine on your body kill the new coronavirus?
No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine everywhere your body won’t kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances are often harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Remember that both alcohol and chlorine are often useful to disinfect surfaces, but they have to be used under appropriate recommendations.
Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?
No. Vaccines against pneumonia, like Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenza B (Hib) vaccine, don’t provide protection against the new coronavirus.
The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers have been relentlessly working to try and develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts.
Although these vaccines aren’t effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is recommended to guard your health.
Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
No. There is no evidence that rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.
There is some limited evidence that often rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to stop respiratory infections.
Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
Garlic may be a healthy food which will have some antimicrobial properties. However, there’s no evidence from the present outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?
People of all ages are often infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people, and other people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more susceptible to becoming severely ill with the virus.
WHO advises people of all ages to take proper steps and precautions to guard themselves from the virus, for instance by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?
No, antibiotics don’t work against viruses, only bacteria.
The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) may be a virus and, therefore, antibiotics shouldn’t be used as a way of prevention or treatment.
However, if you’re hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you’ll receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.
Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?
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 of organizations.
