The Truth About The Coronavirus

Debunking some myths around COVID - 19

Are you finding it hard to distinguish between what’s fact and what’s fiction during these troubled times? At MomsKnowBest we got out fact-checking hat on for all your worried ladies!

For the past couple of days, we are waking up to a flooded WhatsApp inbox with uncountable voice notes, videos, article links, and texts about Coronavirus. And all these messages seem both alarming and believable. Because fear makes us believe anything we see, to cling on the hope of being safe from the virus. Some people are claiming that the virus doesn’t survive in hotter regions, making India a safe territory. So do you believe this? Or not?

With even news channels being unreliable source of information at the moment, how do we separate fact from fiction? Let’s debunk some myths and give you some REAL INFORMATION from a trusted source.

1. MYTH: The new coronavirus CAN’T be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climate.

FACT: From the evidence so far, the new coronavirus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. Eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

2. MYTH: There are specific homeopathic medicines to prevent or 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 of partners.

3. MYTH: Antibiotics 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 since bacterial co-infection is possible.

4. MYTH: The new coronavirus affects only older people.

FACT: People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (nCoV-2019). 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 advise people of all age to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.

5. MYTH: Eating garlic CAN help prevent infection with the new coronavirus.

FACT: Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

6. MYTH: Regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

FACT: No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus. There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing the 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.

7. 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 provide protection 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.

8. 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.

9. MYTH: Thermal scanners are extremely 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.

10. MYTH: The new coronavirus can be transmitted through mosquito bites.

FACT: To date, there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new coronavirus is 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 protect 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.

11. MYTH: Taking a hot bath prevents the new coronavirus disease.

FACT: Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

12. MYTH: Cold weather and snow can kill the new coronavirus.

FACT: There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C and 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. The most effective way 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.

Tell us in the comments below about any other myths that you have come across!