• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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WHO debunks 13 myths about Coronavirus

Coronavirus

As countries including Nigeria heighten response and preparedness to Covid-19 (Coronavirus), there are also lots of information going round on how the spread of the virus can be prevented, and how to avoid contracting it.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified and debunked 13 myths about the virus and adviced the public to confirm and adhere to the right information.

According to WHO, Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill the Coronavirus that have already entered your body, but spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth).

Hand dryers are not effective in killing Coronavirus.

Vaccines against pneumonia such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, cannot protect one against the new coronavirus.

An ultraviolet disinfection lamp cannot kill the new coronavirus and should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.

It is safe to receive a letter or a package from China. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. From previous analysis, coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.

Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) but they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever.

No evidence to confirm that pets at home can spread the new coronavirus.

There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.

There is no evidence that eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus.

Putting on sesame oil cannot block the new coronavirus from entering the body, it oil does not kill the new coronavirus.

Coronavirus affects all people, every one is susceptible, but 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.

Antibiotics are not effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus, it does not work against viruses, only bacteria.

There is no specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus.However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care.