Social media has definitely played a major role in spreading the information and awareness about the onset of the coronavirus. While technology and the vast world of the internet provide you with a lot of useful information, there are also sources which produce false news which can be harmful. There have been a lot of unproven, fake remedies for the virus which have been doing the rounds on social media.
The agenda of this article is to spread awareness and bust all myths related to remedies for COVID-19.
Coronavirus Myths vs Facts
1. Claim #1: Drinking water every 15 minutes to keep the throat moist can prevent COVID-19. Water will wash down any virus in your throat into your stomach, where the acid will kill it.
Fact: There is no proven theory which states that drinking water will work against any type of respiratory virus. But ideally, hydration is good as it helps with all bodily functions.
2. Claim #2: Holding your breath for 10 seconds without coughing means that you are safe!
Fact: Being unable to hold your breath for more than 10 seconds without coughing may occur when you have fibrosis, but a diagnosis is much more complicated than this. Also, fibrosis is not a symptom for coronavirus. If you are having breathing issues, this could mean that you have an infection — with coronavirus or any pathogen – or that another health issue is taking place. The researches for changes at tissue level in the body due to the coronavirus are still under process.
3. Claim #3: Eating Garlic can prevent COVID-19
Fact: There is no proven research for any food which helps to prevent or cure the virus. WHO states that Garlic has “Antimicrobial properties” which may help you build your immunity but definitely not kill the virus.
4. Claim #4: The virus does not survive in hot weather or under the Sun.
Fact: The experts are still unsure about how the virus would react as the temperature rises. The virus is already spreading in countries like Singapore and Australia which are presently hotter than India. There is no doubt in the fact that the virus has the potential to continue spreading across the range of temperature and humidity as per the current situation of China.
5. Claim #5: Getting a flu vaccine will help with the coronavirus.
Fact: COVID- 19 is caused by the novel coronavirus whereas flu is caused by influenza A and influenza B strains. The symptoms and precautions may be similar but the cure will be different as the viruses are different.
6. Claim #6: Coronavirus is Man- Made.
Fact: Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Experts are still trying to figure out the exact source, but it is likely to have originated from bats and was transmitted through them.
7. Claim #7: Taking a hot bath can prevent coronavirus.
Fact: Taking a bath with hot water is risky as it can burn the skin. The fact is that your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. This will not protect you from the virus.
8. Claim #8: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kills the coronavirus.
Fact: Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
9. Claim #9: Coronavirus only affects older people, younger ones are not susceptible.
Fact: The fact states that no age group is defined to be prone to be susceptible. 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.
These are few of the false rumours that have been frequently circulating and many of us would have even fallen prey to it. WHO states that the only proven precautionary step is washing hands frequently. 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.
Also the best way to spread awareness about any remedy is by knowing the source of the information and confirming the authenticity of it. Being responsible citizens of our country, it is our duty to share and help others but not at the sake of false rumors.
We request you to read, verify the information by authentic sources like WHO, CDC and then circulate the information on social media. #GadheMatBano! Know the right facts, stay at home, stay safe and stay Healthy.
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