As the novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 spreads around the globe, panic and misinformation about the pandemic also increases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has referred to this phenomenon as “infomedia”, a high amount of imprecise information, far from reality, prowling around the internet.
Here are some myths about this disease:
- Eating garlic to prevent COVID-19
Multiple social media posts recommend eating garlic to prevent this infection. While it’s true that this is healthy food may have some antimicrobial properties, there is no scientific evidence that suggest that this food can protect you against disease.
- Drinking water every 15 minutes
It is extremely important to stay hydrated during this quarantine, however there is no evidence that drinking water in 15 minute periods works to prevent the disease.
Airborne viruses enter the body through the respiratory tract when inhaled. Some of them, can enter through your mouth, but constantly drinking water won’t keep you from getting the virus.
- Heat or cold temperatures can kill the virus
A particularly widespread myth is that the coronavirus cannot be transmitted in areas with hot or humid weather, and while the effect of heat on the coronavirus is not yet precisely known, the WHO has already made it clear that this is not the case.
Similarly with the cold, another misconception is that exposure to low temperatures could kill the COVID-19 virus, however, no scientific study suggests that cold temperatures slow down the spread of the disease.
- Mosquitoes can transmit the disease
It is necessary to remember that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted by having close contact with an infected person, through droplets that are generated when this person coughs or sneezes, as well as through saliva or nasal secretions but there is no evidence that proves that mosquito bites spread the disease.
To protect yourself, avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever, cough, or any similar symptoms and practice good hygiene.
- Baths with chlorine or alcohol
As it circulates in some publications on social media, bathing with chlorine or alcohol could avoid acquiring the disease, but the WHO explains that this would have no effect if the virus has already entered the body.
Alcohol or chlorine can help to disinfect surfaces, but it is not recommended to take a bath with any of these toxic substances.
- Drinking alcohol to stop the spread
Drinking alcohol will not protect you from COVID-19 and could be really dangerous. Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of health problems.
- Cleaning the nose with saline
There is no evidence that suggest that this practice protects against the novel coronavirus.
Although some studies indicate that cleaning your nose regularly with saline can speed the recovery after a common cold, although this is not necessarily a measure that helps to prevent respiratory infections.
- COVID-19 only affects older adults
The novel coronavirus can infect people of all ages, although older people and those with some underlying conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart diseases) have been found to be more likely to become seriously ill when infected u the virus.
The WHO advises people of all ages to take measures to protect themselves from the virus, for example, good hand hygiene, cleaning common surfaces, wearing a mask and practicing physical distance.
It is important that the information we consume comes from official sources of our leaders, health institutions, or reliable media; most of these rumors have been originated from unverified social media accounts that are not backed by any credible evidence.
If you want to know more about COVID-19, we invite you to visit the following link: https://www.who.int/es/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
