11 coronavirus health myths, fact checked

As we enter month 4 of the coronavirus pandemic within the US, there’s nonetheless a variety of misinformation circling in regards to the virus and COVID-19, the illness it may trigger. Whereas we nonetheless haven’t got a vaccine and are nowhere close to herd immunity, there are some things consultants agree on. Working towards social distancing, wearing a mask round different folks and regularly washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds are good ways to assist shield your self and others from contracting the virus.

However in response to posts throughout social media, there are a lot of extra methods to guard your self. Nicely earlier than the coronavirus was named a pandemic by the World Well being Group, folks began sharing all types of questionable recommendation on the right way to shield your self from getting contaminated, starting from misguided (like making your own hand sanitizer) to outright harmful (like injecting bleach into your physique). It is reached the purpose the place Fb has moved to ban any advertisements selling fake coronavirus cures.

In an effort to get the details straight, we’ll bust these frequent coronavirus myths which have taken over our feeds.

Fable 1: Carrying a medical masks may cause CO2 intoxication or oxygen deficiency

Rumors have circulated online that sporting a face masking may cause you to breathe in an excessive amount of carbon dioxide or restrict your means to get sufficient oxygen.

Reality: Medical face masks have been in use since at the very least the 1890s, and disposable masks because the Thirties. In that point, face masks haven’t been proven to restrict the amount of oxygen your physique will get or enhance the quantity of carbon dioxide you breathe in. 

N95 medical respirators can allow carbon dioxide to build up inside the masks over the course of a number of hours of continued use, however that is sometimes solely a problem for folks with pre-existing respiratory points. With medical and material masks that many people are sporting, carbon dioxide can simply escape the masks, according to the BBC.

Oh, and in case you need to circumvent any face mask orders the place you reside, these “face mask exempt cards” which are being shared on social media will not allow you to. The US Division of Justice confirmed that they’re bogus.

Fable 2: 5G induced COVID-19

The following technology of wi-fi service, 5G, has sparked controversy all over the world. Folks have expressed fear that the radio indicators that 5G makes use of may trigger cancer and other health concerns. So it isn’t too shocking that individuals are actually blaming the coronavirus pandemic on 5G.

Reality: 5G is just not answerable for inflicting the coronavirus. Coronaviruses have been around for decades, lengthy earlier than the arrival of the wi-fi networks we have now at the moment. Neither is there any documented hyperlink between cellphones, together with 5G telephones, and most cancers — they do not produce the sort of vitality that straight damages cells.

Fable 3: The coronavirus was created by people and intentionally launched into the world

One conspiracy principle in regards to the coronavirus is that it was engineered in a lab and intentionally launched to kill folks, probably for political causes.

Reality: Scientists say there is no such thing as a legitimate proof of this theory. They acknowledge that SARS-CoV-2 (the official title of this virus) is similar to SARS-CoV, the virus that induced the SARS outbreak from 2002 to 2003. 

However this novel coronavirus extra carefully matches viruses that infect bats and pangolins, which have not been proven to hurt people prior to now. If somebody was deliberately making a virus to threaten the worldwide inhabitants, some speculate, they might have chosen one thing with extra proof to trigger widespread medical hurt.

Some researchers even speculate that SARS-CoV-2 infected humans a few years in the past and slowly mutated to ultimately be capable of hurt us.

Fable 4: You shouldn’t go to the ER for an emergency medical concern since you may contract the coronavirus

The worry behind that is legitimate, as folks hear about hospital beds filling up and fear that in the event that they go right into a hospital, they are going to completely grow to be contaminated.

Reality: When you’ve got an emergency medical concern, going to the ER is safer than not going, according to AARP. Coronary heart assaults, strokes and different severe situations may cause demise with out medical intervention. Hospitals have plans in place to isolate coronavirus sufferers from others to forestall the unfold of the virus. 

If you happen to stay in a big metropolitan space, some ERs is likely to be devoted to serving solely non-coronavirus sufferers, so name round earlier than you go if time permits for it. If you happen to or somebody in your house is having a medical emergency, you need to nonetheless name 911.

Fable 5: Utilizing a face masks will fully shield you from getting the coronavirus

Carrying a facial covering in public is now mandatory in many states, as a measure to gradual the unfold of the coronavirus. Masks have been a hotly debated subject, and there’s a lot of confusion about what they really do.

Reality: From what we all know proper now (in June 2020), face masks and facial coverings are primarily to forestall the aerosol spray created by your coughing or sneezing from entering into another person’s nostril and mouth. The present knowledge is to put on a face masks to guard others round you from getting the virus.

Material masks are usually not woven tightly sufficient to truly block the virus from getting by way of. The one masks that may really block the coronavirus are N95 respirator masks, however solely medical professionals ought to be utilizing them.

Fable 6: If you happen to can maintain your breath for 10 seconds, you do not have a coronavirus an infection

The thought behind this delusion is that if somebody is contaminated with coronavirus, by the point somebody is having bother respiration, 50% of their lungs can have pulmonary fibrosis — a lung illness that causes irreversible scarring and hardening of the lung tissue.

There is a publish that is been floating across the web that states that if you happen to can maintain your breath for 10 seconds — with out feeling like you should gasp for air or a tightness in your chest — then you do not have pulmonary fibrosis and also you’re possible not contaminated with the coronavirus.

This false delusion has been shared throughout social media, together with by actress Debra Messing, who posted it on a now-deleted Instagram story. There are even reviews that the recommendation got here from Stanford University, however that is completely false in response to the med faculty.

Reality: Whereas it is potential for the coronavirus to trigger fibrosis, holding your breath is just not an appropriate at-home “test” to find out when you have lung harm. To get a correct analysis, you’d want a variety of tests carried out by your physician. And, if you happen to’re having problem respiration, from coronavirus or anything, you need to call your healthcare provider.

Fable 7: Ingesting water will flush the virus out of your mouth

The publish proven in Fable 6 states that you need to drink water each quarter-hour as a result of even when the coronavirus will get into your mouth, water and different liquids can flush it away, into your abdomen, the place it can not survive due to your abdomen acid. It goes on to say that if you happen to do not drink water usually sufficient, the coronavirus will get into your airways after which into your lungs.

One other publish (above) making the rounds on social media claims you can “remove” the virus out of your throat by gargling with heat water and salt or vinegar (the publish does not state what sort of vinegar).

Reality: It is all the time good to remain properly hydrated, whether or not you are sick or not. However, according to the WHO, there is not any proof that consuming water can shield you from getting the coronavirus. Neither will gargling with salt water or vinegar. And in the identical vein, flushing your nose with saline spray will not shield you both.

Learn extra: 6 essential cold and flu products you need whether you’re sick or not 

Fable 8: Keep away from ibuprofen if you happen to’re contaminated with the coronavirus

This delusion got here from a good supply — Olivier Véran, the well being minister of France. He tweeted on March 14 that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (aka NSAIDs), akin to ibuprofen, “might be a think about worsening the an infection” (quote translated from French). When you’ve got a fever, he says, take paracetamol (also referred to as acetaminophen or Tylenol within the US). Some reports are saying that taking ibuprofen and different NSAIDs may make the signs of COVID-19 worse.

Reality: This one is just not black and white, as a result of there are conflicting reviews. The FDA and the European Medicines Agency each say that there is not sufficient scientific proof that exhibits taking ibuprofen or different NSAIDs may worsen a coronavirus an infection. The FDA says it’s now wanting into the declare to make an extra advice. Different experts have weighed in, saying there’s no data that implies ibuprofen makes the an infection worse.

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However, several experts backed up Véran’s claims in a report published in the British Medical Journal, saying that in general, ibuprofen should not be used to treat a fever and that “prolonged illness or the complications of respiratory infections may be more common when NSAIDs are used.”

On March 18, the WHO tweeted that it does not recommend for people with COVID-19 to avoid ibuprofen, and had that information posted on its page about coronavirus myths. However, that information has since been removed as of March 25. The UK’s National Health Service currently recommends taking paracetamol to ease coronavirus symptoms, and does not mention taking any NSAIDs.

For now, contact your doctor or medical provider if you think you have a coronavirus infection and get their recommendation on what kinds of medications to take to manage symptoms.

Myth 9: Warm weather will get rid of the coronavirus

Following a similar logic to the flu virus, many believe that as the weather gets warmer, the coronavirus will die out. The myth has been perpetuated by President Donald Trump, who told his supporters in March that the coronavirus will go away in April as the weather gets warmer. 

Truth: According to the WHO, the coronavirus can be transmitted in all areas of the globe, including hot climates. It won’t just go away in the Northern Hemisphere as the weather gets warmer in spring and summer, experts say. We do not yet know if COVID-19 is a seasonal virus like influenza is, meaning it loses the ability to infect cells as the temperature rises.

Myth 10: Garlic or herbs will cure or protect you from the coronavirus

Garlic is said to help boost your immune system and because of that, there have been rumors circulating online that it could also prevent a coronavirus infection. One post states that garlic is particularly helpful if you boil it and drink the water that’s left over.

Some posts on social media also claim that brewing tea from herbs (some suggest using sea moss) can protect kids from getting the coronavirus.

Truth: While garlic is good for your immune system, it can’t protect you from being infected with the coronavirus, according to the WHO. The same goes for DIY herbal tea.

Myth 11: Drinking, injecting or spraying alcohol or bleach on your body will protect you from getting coronavirus

As stores started to run out of hand sanitizer, people looked for other ways to protect themselves, including by spraying disinfectants on their bodies or clothes. Some people have even ingested bleach, methanol and ethanol as a means to protect themselves.

Truth: The WHO says that not only can ingesting or spraying bleach, ethanol or methanol on your body harm your mucous membranes, it won’t protect you from getting the coronavirus. Furthermore, you should never drink or inject rubbing alcohol or bleach to protect yourself — doing either can cause serious health problems and even death.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.