Debunking COVID-19 (coronavirus) myths – Mayo Clinic
Probabilities are you’ve got heard about a food, drug or other method that promises to avert, take care of or overcome coronavirus condition 2019 (COVID-19). But whilst it might be tempting to use a questionable products or method to stay nutritious all through the pandemic, it is really exceptionally unlikely to function and might bring about major hurt.
COVID-19 treatment method and avoidance myths
At present, no overcome is offered for COVID-19. Scientists are tests a assortment of treatment plans. But misinformation carries on to circulate about methods to avert infection with the COVID-19 virus or take care of COVID-19.
This is what the science states:
- Pneumonia and flu vaccines. Vaccines versus pneumonia, this kind of as the pneumococcal vaccine, will not deliver protection versus the COVID-19 virus. The flu shot also will never shield you versus the COVID-19 virus. However, yearly flu vaccinations are suggested for absolutely everyone age six months and more mature.
- Saline nasal clean. There is no evidence that rinsing your nose with saline guards versus infection with the COVID-19 virus.
- High temperatures. Exposure to the sunshine or to temperatures better than seventy seven F (25 C) would not avert the COVID-19 virus or overcome COVID-19. You can get the COVID-19 virus in sunny, incredibly hot and humid weather conditions. Taking a incredibly hot bathtub also cannot avert you from catching the COVID-19 virus. Your normal overall body temperature remains the similar, no matter of the temperature of your bathtub or shower.
- Very low temperatures. Chilly weather conditions and snow also cannot get rid of the COVID-19 virus.
- Antibiotics. Antibiotics get rid of bacteria, not viruses. However, people hospitalized thanks to COVID-19 might be offered antibiotics for the reason that they also have produced a bacterial infection.
- Alcohol and chlorine spray. Spraying liquor or chlorine on your overall body will never get rid of viruses that have entered your overall body. These substances also can hurt your eyes, mouth and clothing.
- Consuming liquor. Consuming liquor would not shield you from the COVID-19 virus.
- Garlic. You can find no evidence that eating garlic guards versus infection with the COVID-19 virus.
- Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection lamp. Ultraviolet gentle can be made use of as a disinfectant on surfaces. But will not use a UV lamp to sterilize your arms or other regions of your overall body. UV radiation can bring about pores and skin irritation.
- 5G cell networks. Preventing publicity to or use of 5G networks would not avert infection with the COVID-19 virus. Viruses cannot journey on radio waves and cell networks. The COVID-19 virus is spreading in many countries that lack 5G cell networks.
- Disinfectants. When applied to surfaces, disinfectants can help get rid of germs this kind of as the COVID-19 virus. However, will not use disinfectants on your overall body, inject them into your overall body or swallow them. Disinfectants can irritate the pores and skin and be harmful if swallowed or injected into the overall body. Also, will not clean develop with disinfectants.
- Supplements. Lots of people consider vitamin C, zinc, eco-friendly tea or echinacea to increase their immune units. But these nutritional supplements are unlikely to impact your immune purpose or avert you from obtaining ill. The nutritional supplement colloidal silver, which has been marketed as a COVID-19 treatment method, is not secure or productive for managing any condition. Oleandrin, an extract from the harmful oleander plant, is poisonous and shouldn’t be taken as a nutritional supplement or home treatment.
- Ivermectin. This drug is usually made use of in the U.S. to take care of or avert parasites in animals. In individuals, precise doses of ivermectin tablets can be made use of to take care of parasitic worms and a topical edition can be applied to the pores and skin to take care of head lice and pores and skin ailments. However, ivermectin is not a drug for managing viruses and the Food and drug administration hasn’t accredited use of this drug to take care of or avert COVID-19. Taking massive doses of this drug can bring about major hurt. Never use drugs meant for animals on your self.
Aim on details
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been functioning to remove deceptive goods from retail outlet shelves and on the web marketplaces. In the meantime, try to remember that testimonials usually are not a substitute for scientific evidence. Also, couple disorders can be treated immediately, so beware of rapid fixes. A miracle overcome that promises to comprise a key component is probably a hoax.
If you have a query about a method for managing COVID-19 or protecting against infection with the COVID-19 virus, converse to your health care provider. To talk to a query about a COVID-19 medicine, you can call your regional pharmacist or the Food and drug administration‘s Division of Drug Information and facts.
Efficient COVID-19 avoidance guidelines
There are actions you can consider reduce your danger of infection. When possible, get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re entirely vaccinated, you can a lot more safely and securely return to doing things to do that you might not have been equipped to do for the reason that of the pandemic. However, if you are in an space with a substantial selection of new COVID-19 instances, the CDC suggests putting on a mask indoors in public and outdoor in crowded regions or when you are in close contact with people who aren’t entirely vaccinated.
If you haven’t had a COVID-19 vaccine, the Planet Overall health Corporation (WHO) and the U.S. Facilities for Illness Manage and Prevention (CDC) suggest adhering to these safeguards for averting COVID-19:
- Steer clear of close contact (in just about six ft, or 2 meters) with everyone who is ill or has signs or symptoms.
- Hold distance involving your self and others (in just about six ft, or 2 meters), specifically if COVID-19 is spreading in your local community, specifically if you have a better danger of major ailment. Hold in head some people may well have COVID-19 and distribute it to others, even if they will not have signs or symptoms.
- Clean your arms usually with soap and drinking water for at least 20 seconds, or use an liquor-centered hand sanitizer that contains at least sixty% liquor.
- Put on a facial area mask in indoor public areas. If you are in an space with a substantial selection of new COVID-19 instances, dress in a mask outdoor in crowded regions or when you are in close contact with others who aren’t entirely vaccinated.
- Go over your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the made use of tissue and clean your arms or use hand sanitizer.
- Steer clear of touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Steer clear of sharing dishes, eyeglasses, bedding and other house merchandise if you might be ill.
- Clean up and disinfect substantial-contact surfaces daily.
- Remain home from function, faculty and public regions if you might be ill, unless you might be going to get clinical care. Steer clear of using public transportation if you might be ill.
Dec. 17, 2021
See a lot more In-depth
Products and Companies
- U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker: See your state’s development
- Coronavirus map: Tracking the developments
.