GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Have you heard that eating garlic prevents COVID-19 infection?
Or, that taking a hot bath will protect someone from the novel coronavirus?
These are myths – and they’re running rampant.
COVID-19 information can be overwhelming – and unfortunately misinformation is common.
Frank Esper, M.D., an infectious disease expert at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, said it’s a myth that hand dryers can kill the novel coronavirus.
“People are thinking hot air kills this virus and using blow dryers, or somehow increasing the room temperature will help prevent the spread – that will not happen,” he said. “That type of heat is not necessarily going to cause a change in the infectiousness of this particular virus.”
And don’t think hot, humid climates are protective. Evidence, to date, shows COVID-19 can be transmitted in all areas.
Some people believe mosquitoes can spread the virus, but that’s not the case, according to Dr. Esper.
“Mosquitoes can transmit disease, only by sucking your blood and transferring that blood into someone else,” said Dr. Esper. “So, things like West Nile Virus that’s how it works; things like malaria, that’s how it works. But this virus doesn’t stay in your blood very long.”
Another myth is that ibuprofen can make COVID-19 infection worse.
“We have not seen this in any other study,” Dr. Esper said. “We have not seen this in any of our experience here in the United States”
If you’ve heard only older people are at risk, guess again.
“Younger adults can get infected and can get severe infection, although not nearly as often as an older adults,” said Dr. Esper. “It is something that we are really recognizing that young adults 20s, 30s and 40s should still be very vigilant to make sure that they don’t get this virus.”
Dr. Esper said the best way to prevent COVID-19 infection is by frequently washing your hands, using hand sanitizer and distancing yourself from others.
STATE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COVID-19
Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.
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- A record 6.6 million seek US jobless aid as layoffs mount
- Expert: Don't spend all your stimulus money
- Whitmer declares state of disaster, seeks to extend emergency declaration
- With kids out of school, how can you manage screen time and promote learning?
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