Coronavirus has created an overflow on the internet with a lot of inaccurate information regarding the outbreak. There seems to be a lot of untruths about using face masks, bat soup and if taking a hot bath can kill the virus. With all these theories, Babylon Health doctor Claudia Pastides debunks six myths that have been flourishing online and explains which elements, if any, are true.
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Myth 1: Is coronavirus man-made?
“The virus which caused Covid-19 is a zoonotic virus.
“This means that it originated from an animal. It’s likely to have jumped the species barrier to humans.
“This process of jumping species was probably how the virus that caused Covid-19 came about.
“It was not made in a lab,” said Dr Claudia.
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Myth 2: Hand sanitisers don’t work to kill coronavirus
Dr Claudia said: “Whilst this is true for a few strains of viruses, for example, the norovirus that causes stomach bugs, it’s not the case with coronavirus.
“Using hand sanitisers that contain at least 60 percent alcohol will kill the coronavirus.”
Myth 3: Pets can transmit the virus too
Dr Claudia added: “There is no evidence that the virus which caused Covid-19 can be spread by your pets.
“That said, it’s still early days and scientists are keeping a close eye on things like this. So you should always wash your hands properly after touching any pets.”
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Myth 4: Heat, applied to the skin or taking a hot bath will kill the virus
“Once a virus is in your body, it is down to your immune system to kill it off. Hot baths and hot drinks won’t be able to reach or kill the virus because it lies within cells inside your body.
“Your body regulates its temperature very carefully and won’t allow it to raise much, despite hot drinks and baths.
“The best way to kill the virus, if you may have come into contact with it on your skin, is by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitiser,” said Dr Claudia.
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Myth 5: You can prevent the virus spreading by gargling bleach
Dr Claudia said: “Gargling bleach can cause irritation of your mouth and food pipe, sometimes even leading to internal burns.
“There’s also no evidence that regularly gargling with anything, wether it be a bleach, hot drinks or water, will prevent you from being infected by the coronavirus.
“Disinfecting surfaces with bleach can be helpful to stop the spread of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 which is the virus that causes Covid-19.”
Myth 6: Eating garlic will help prevent you from catching coronavirus
“Eating a healthy and balanced diet with fruit and vegetables, including garlic is always a good idea.
“But there is no evidence that eating lots of garlic is going to prevent you from getting Covid-19,” concluded Dr Claudia.
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