02/26/2020 - 12:38
- Clarín.com
- Good Life
In addition to China, another 33 countries have already reported cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), which has so far caused more than 80,000 infections. In this context, what is also "viralized" quickly and without recognizing borders are myths and rumors, stigmas and fears that instead of favoring good behavior in the scenario of health uncertainty posed by the new virus, they only complicate it. .
As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a document that clears the most widespread myths that circulate mainly through social networks, while responding to frequent concerns of the population.
MYTH: The new coronavirus can be transmitted through mosquito bites
FACT: The new coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites. The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus that spreads mainly by contact with an infected person through the respiratory droplets that are generated when this person coughs or sneezes, for example, or through saliva droplets or secretions from the nose. To date there is no information or evidence to indicate that the new virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes. To protect yourself, avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough, and practice good hand and airway hygiene.
MYTH: Children's urine can protect against the new coronavirus
FACT: Children's urine CANNOT protect against the new coronavirus. Urine does not kill viruses or bacteria. In fact, urine may contain small amounts of viral or bacterial material. Washing your hands with infant urine or cleaning certain surfaces with it will not protect you. Wash your hands often with an alcohol-based disinfectant or with soap and water. Clean surfaces with common household disinfectants.
MYTH: Cold and snow can kill the new coronavirus
FACT: Cold and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus. The normal temperature of the human body is maintained around 36.5 ° and 37 °, regardless of the outside temperature or the weather conditions. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that the cold can kill the new coronavirus or end other diseases. The most effective way to protect yourself is to clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based disinfectant or with soap and water.
MYTH: Cocaine can protect against the new coronavirus.
FACT: Cocaine CANNOT protect against the new coronavirus Cocaine is a stimulant and addictive drug. Its consumption causes serious side effects and is detrimental to people's health.
People who receive packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus / REUTERS / archive.
MYTH: The new coronavirus can be transmitted through objects, such as coins and bills
FACT: The risk of becoming infected with the new coronavirus by contact with objects, such as coins, bills or credit cards, is very low. Preliminary information indicates that the new coronavirus can survive on a surface for a few hours or a little longer. An object can be contaminated if an infected person coughs or sneezes on it or touches it. By proper hand hygiene, the risk of becoming infected with the new coronavirus by contact with objects, such as coins, bills or even credit cards, is very low. The best protection is to wash your hands frequently.
MYTH: The new coronavirus can reach up to 8 meters away from a person who coughs or sneezes
FACT: Respiratory droplets reach up to 1 meter away from a person who coughs or sneezes. When infected people cough or sneeze, the virus is expelled through droplets that can reach a certain distance from that person. Therefore, to protect yourself from respiratory viruses avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough, and wash your hands frequently.
MYTH: The new coronavirus can spread long distances through the air
FACT: Coronaviruses DO NOT spread long distances through the air. The droplets that transmit it are too heavy to spread over long distances. The infection can also occur when touching the eyes, mouth or nose after being in contact with a contaminated surface. Protect yourself by cleaning your hands often with an alcohol-based disinfectant or soap and water.
Coronaviruses are transmitted through respiratory drops, so they do not spread over long distances.
Frequent questions
Can the new coronavirus be killed in 30 seconds with a hand dryer like those in public toilets?
No. Hand dryers don't kill him. Once clean, dry yourself with paper towels or a hot air dryer.
Can I reuse an N95 mask? Can i wash it Can I sterilize it with a hand sanitizer?
No. Masks, including flat clinical masks and N95 filter masks, should not be reused. When you have been in close contact with a person infected with the new coronavirus or other respiratory infection, the front part of the mask used should be considered contaminated. To take it off, do not touch its front. Then dispose of it correctly and wash your hands with a hydroalcoholic gel or with soap and water.
Can the new coronavirus be killed with an ultraviolet lamp for disinfection?
Ultraviolet lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other parts of the body, since ultraviolet radiation can cause erythema (skin irritation).
Can the new coronavirus be killed by spraying the body with alcohol or chlorine?
No. Spraying the entire body with alcohol or chlorine does not serve to kill viruses that have already entered the body. Spraying these substances can damage clothing and mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth, etc.). Both alcohol and chlorine can be used to disinfect surfaces, provided the relevant recommendations are followed.
There are several measures that can be applied to protect against the new coronavirus. Start by cleaning your hands frequently with a hydroalcoholic gel or with soap and water.
Is it safe to receive a letter or package from China?
Yes. People who receive packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. Thanks to previous studies, we know that coronaviruses do not survive long on objects such as cards and packages.
Can pets spread the new coronavirus?
At the moment, there is no evidence that the new coronavirus infects pets such as dogs and cats. However, it is still convenient to wash your hands with soap and water after touching one of these animals to protect yourself from various common bacteria that can be transmitted to humans, such as E. coli and Salmonella.
Do pneumonia vaccines protect against the new coronavirus?
No. Pneumonia vaccines, such as pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine, do not protect against the new coronavirus.
COVID-19 is so new and different that it is necessary to develop a specific vaccine, which is already working with the support of WHO.
Although pneumonia vaccines are not effective against the new coronavirus, it is very convenient to get vaccinated against respiratory diseases to maintain good health.
Is it a good idea to rinse your nose regularly with a saline solution to prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
No. There is no evidence to indicate that this practice protects against infection with the new coronavirus.
Although some tests indicate that rinsing your nose regularly with saline solution can speed recovery after a common cold, it has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.
Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
Garlic is a healthy food that can have some antimicrobial properties. However, no evidence has been obtained that eating it protects against the virus that causes the current outbreak.
Is it good to apply sesame oil on the skin to prevent the new coronavirus from entering the body?
No. Sesame oil does not kill the new coronavirus. There are chemical disinfectants that, applied on the surfaces, can kill it, such as bleach or chlorine-based disinfectants, some solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform.
However, these products have little or no efficacy against the new coronavirus if they are applied to the skin or under the nose and can also damage the skin.
Handwashing and avoiding sneezing into them are preventive measures.
Does the new coronavirus affect only older people or can it also affect younger ones?
The new coronavirus can infect people of all ages, although it has been observed that older people and those with some diseases (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease) are more likely to get seriously ill when they get the infection.
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus.
Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating new coronavirus infection?
No. Antibiotics are effective against bacteria, but not against viruses.
Since COVID-19 is a virus, antibiotics should not be used to prevent or treat the infection.
However, if you are infected by this virus and you are hospitalized, you may be given antibiotics so that you do not get bacterial infections.
Is there any medication to prevent or treat infection with the new coronavirus?
At the moment, no specific medication is recommended to prevent or treat infection with the new coronavirus. However, it is necessary to adequately treat people infected by this virus to relieve and treat symptoms and seek optimized support measures for those with severe symptoms. Some specific treatments are being studied and will be tested in clinical trials. WHO is helping to speed up research and development work with a number of partners.