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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for
the public: Myth busters
World
Health Organization
5G mobile networks DO NOT spread COVID-19
Viruses cannot travel on radio waves/mobile
networks.COVID-19 is spreading in many countries that do not have 5G mobile
networks.
COVID-19 is spread through respiratory
droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. People can also be
infected by touching a contaminated surface and then their eyes, mouth or nose.
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Exposing yourself to the sun or to
temperatures higher than 25C degrees DOES NOT prevent the coronavirus disease
(COVID-19)
You can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny
or hot the weather is. Countries with hot weather have reported cases of
COVID-19.
To protect yourself, make sure you clean your
hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and
nose.
You can recover from the coronavirus disease
(COVID-19). Catching the new coronavirus DOES NOT mean you will have it for
life.
Most of the people who catch COVID-19 can
recover and eliminate the virus from their bodies. If you catch the disease,
make sure you treat your symptoms.
If you have cough, fever, and difficulty
breathing, seek medical care early – but call your health facility by telephone
first. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.
Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds
or more without coughing or feeling discomfort DOES NOT mean you are free from
the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or any other lung disease.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are dry
cough, tiredness and fever. Some people may develop more severe forms of the
disease, such as pneumonia.
The best way to confirm if you have the virus
producing COVID-19 disease is with a laboratory test. You cannot confirm it with this breathing
exercise, which can even be dangerous.
Drinking alcohol does not protect you against
COVID-19 and can be dangerous
Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can
increase your risk of health problems.
COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas
with hot and humid climates
From the evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus
can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather.
Regardless of climate, adopt protective
measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19.
The best way to protect yourself against
COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate
viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then
touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new
coronavirus.
There is no reason to believe that cold
weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases.
The normal human body temperature remains
around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather.
The most effective way to protect yourself
against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with
alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.
Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new
coronavirus disease
Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from
catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C,
regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower.
Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely
hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you.
The best way to protect yourself against
COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate
viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then
touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
The new coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted
through mosquito bites.
To date there has been no information nor
evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by
mosquitoes.
The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus
which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person
coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.
To protect yourself, clean your hands
frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
Are hand dryers effective in killing the new
coronavirus?
No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing
the 2019-nCoV. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should
frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap
and water.
Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry
them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.
Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the
new coronavirus?
UV lamps should not be used to sterilize
hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
How effective are thermal scanners in
detecting people infected with the new coronavirus?
Thermal scanners are effective in detecting
people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body
temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus.
However, they cannot detect people who are
infected but are not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between 2
and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.
Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over
your body kill the new coronavirus?
No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over
your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body.
Spraying such substances can be harmful to
clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth).
Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can
be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate
recommendations.
Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you
against the new coronavirus?
No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as
pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not
provide protection against the new coronavirus.
The virus is so new and different that it
needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against
2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts.
Although these vaccines are not effective
against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly
recommended to protect your health.
Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline
help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
No. There is no evidence that regularly
rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new
coronavirus.
There is some limited evidence that regularly
rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common
cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent
respiratory infections.
Can eating garlic help prevent infection with
the new coronavirus?
Garlic is a healthy food that may have some
antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current
outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
Does the new coronavirus affect older people,
or are younger people also susceptible?
People of all ages can be infected by the new
coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
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.
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps
to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand
hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
Are antibiotics effective in preventing and
treating the new coronavirus?
No, antibiotics do not work against viruses,
only bacteria.
The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus
and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or
treatment.
However, if you are hospitalized for the
2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is
possible.
Are there any specific medicines to prevent
or treat the new coronavirus?
To date, there is no specific medicine
recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
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.
Some specific treatments are under
investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to
accelerate research and development efforts with a range of partners.
Better health for everyone, everywhere
We are building a better, healthier future for people all
over the world.
Working with 194 Member States, across six regions, and
from more than 150 offices, WHO staff are united in a shared commitment to
achieve better health for everyone, everywhere.
Together we strive to combat diseases – communicable
diseases like influenza and HIV, and noncommunicable diseases like cancer and
heart disease.
We help mothers and children survive and thrive so they
can look forward to a healthy old age. We ensure the safety of the air people
breathe, the food they eat, the water they drink – and the medicines and
vaccines they need.
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