As the global community tries to fight the Covid-19 outbreak and spread of the virus, there are also myths going around which are hampering the work that has been done to curb the scourge.
The 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.
One can also contract the virus if they touch the infected surface the small droplets fell on and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
Many myths are circulating, which may derail the work that has already been done to fight the spread of the virus.
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Below is a list of some of the myths shared by the World Health Organisation (WHO):
• The coronavirus cannot be transmitted through mosquito bites.
To date there has been no information or evidence to suggest the virus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.
• Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?
No, hand dryers are not effective in killing Covid-19.
To protect yourself against the coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.
• Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus?
UV lamps should not be used to sterilise hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
• How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus?
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 fever. This is because it takes between two and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.
• Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill the coronavirus?
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).
Also be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
• Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?
No, vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the coronavirus.
The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine.
Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against Covid-19, and WHO is supporting their efforts.
Although these vaccines are not effective against Covid-19, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.
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• Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
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 virus.
• Does the coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?
People of all ages can be infected by Covid-19.
Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example, by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
• Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the coronavirus?
No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.
Covid-19 is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.
However, if you are hospitalised for Covid-19, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.
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