Rumours, misconceptions and unverified information about the new Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) have spread online, even faster than the virus itself. These include the supposed ways on how to kill coronavirus by eating garlic or taking a hot bath. But are they really effective? Here are the clarifications of World Health Organization on some of these myths.
WHO says 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.
By frequently washing your hands, you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
If you think a surface may be contaminated, use a disinfectant to clean it. After touching it, clean or wash your hands thoroughly.
There are other illnesses that can be acquired through mosquito bites such as dengue and malaria that is why it is still important to protect yourself from these insects.
Improper use of UV radiation may even lead to skin irritation.
Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
Remember it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets.
There is 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.
There is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
However, if you are hospitalised for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
Although these vaccines are not effective against COVID-19, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.
To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat COVID-19. However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimised 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 partners.
For more information, visit who.int.