As misinformation surrounding COVID-19 propagates online, an expert in infectious diseases from Cleveland Clinic Children\u2019s in the U.S. is reminding people of the old saying, \u201cIf something\u2019s too good to be true, it probably is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Common advice circulating on social media includes the notion that eating garlic prevents COVID-19 infection or that taking a steaming, hot bath will protect people from the novel coronavirus.<\/p>\n
Pediatric infectious disease specialist Frank Esper, M.D., stresses these are just myths \u2014 and they\u2019re running rampant. But now, more than ever, he says it\u2019s important to separate fact from fiction.<\/p>\n
Here, Dr. Esper debunks five other common myths you may read online:<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are thinking hot air kills this virus and are using blow dryers or somehow increasing the room temperature to help prevent the spread, but that will not happen,\u201d Dr. Esper says. \u201cThat type of heat is not necessarily going to cause a change in the infectiousness of this particular virus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Think those in tropical or desert areas are in the clear? No. Evidence to date actually shows that COVID-19 can be transmitted in all areas, Dr. Esper says. Climate is not a factor.<\/p>\n
Some people believe mosquitoes can spread the virus, but that\u2019s not the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a respiratory virus and honestly we\u2019re doing just fine passing it amongst ourselves,\u201d Dr. Esper says. \u201cWe don\u2019t need mosquitoes\u2019 help.<\/p>\n
\u201cMosquitoes can transmit disease only by sucking your blood and transferring that blood into someone else,\u201d he notes. So, yes, mosquitoes can transmit diseases like West Nile virus and malaria. But, he says, this virus doesn\u2019t stay in your blood very long so mosquitoes aren\u2019t a threat for transmitting it.<\/p>\n
While there was a report from the French Ministry of Health that made headlines recently suggesting ibuprofen can exacerbate a coronavirus infection, Dr. Esper says the evidence doesn\u2019t support that. \u201cWe have not seen this in any of our experience here in the United States,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Guess again, says Dr. Esper. \u201cYounger adults can get infected and can get severe infection \u2014 although not nearly as often as in older adults. We are really recognizing that young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s should still be very vigilant to make sure that they don\u2019t get this virus.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s NOT a myth? Dr. Esper says the best way to prevent COVID-19 infection is by frequently washing your hands, using hand sanitizer and practicing social distancing.<\/p>\n