FACT: IT IS NOT TRUE THAT ANTIBIOTICS CAN PREVENT OR TREAT COVID-19.
Antibiotics work only against bacteria, not viruses. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, and therefore antibiotics should not be used for prevention or treatment. Some people who become ill with COVID-19 can also develop a bacterial infection as a complication. In this case, antibiotics may be recommended by a health care provider.
FACT: IT IS NOT TRUE THAT COLD WEATHER AND SNOW CAN KILL THE NEW CORONAVIRUS.
There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C (97.7°F to 98.6°F), regardless of the external temperature or weather. The most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water.
FACT: IT IS NOT TRUE THAT SPRAYING ALCOHOL OR CHLORINE ALL OVER YOUR BODY CAN KILL THE NEW CORONAVIRUS.
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). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations. They cannot be ingested.
FACT: IT IS NOT TRUE THAT EATING GARLIC (AND OTHER FOODS COMMONLY USED AS HOME REMEDIES FOR FLU AND COMMON COLD) CAN 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 (or other foods for that matter) has protected people from the new coronavirus.
FACT: IT IS NOT TRUE THAT REGULARLY RINSING YOUR NOSE AND GARGLING WITH SALTWATER OR SALINE CAN HELP PREVENT INFECTION WITH THE NEW CORONAVIRUS.
There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.
FACT: THE NEW CORONAVIRUS CAN BE TRANSMITTED IN AREAS WITH HOT AND HUMID CLIMATES.
The COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather.
FACT: DRINKING WARM WATER AND GETTING ENOUGH SUNLIGHT ARE NOT PRIMARY WAYS TO PROTECT AGAINST COVID-19.
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 can be killed at higher temperatures. Drinking warm water and getting enough sunlight may have other health benefits. For example, sunlight is good to get Vitamin D, but too much exposure to sunlight may also lead to sunburn.
FACT: IT IS NOT TRUE THAT TAKING A HOT BATH CAN PREVENT COVID-19.
Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C (97.7°F to 98.6°F), regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. 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.
FACT: IT IS NOT TRUE THAT HAND DRYERS ARE EFFECTIVE IN KILLING THE NEW CORONAVIRUS.
Hand dryers will not protect against COVID-19. To protect yourself, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using towels or a warm air dryer.
FACT: IT IS NOT TRUE THAT VACCINES AGAINST PNEUMONIA CAN PROTECT YOU AGAINST THE NEW CORONAVIRUS.
Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new 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 the World Health Organization is supporting their efforts. Although vaccines against pneumonia are not effective against COVID-19, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.
FACT: IT IS NOT TRUE THAT THE NEW CORONAVIRUS CAN BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH MOSQUITO BITES.
To date there has been no evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new 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. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash them with soap and water. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
FACT: THE NEW CORONAVIRUS AFFECTS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.
People of ALL AGES can be infected by the new coronavirus. 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. 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.
More on these and other myths about the new coronavirus can be found here: