There is so much information being spread around regarding the latest epidemic – the coronavirus. While there’s no harm in being informed, a good portion of the statements being spread are false. Read on to find out what claims aren’t supported by medical experts or simply, basic logic.
The Coronavirus is a Bacterial Infection That Should be Treated with Antibiotics
No, this is a virus, which is quite different from a bacterial infection. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics, it’s the immune system alone that can handle this task. So, all one can do is aid the immune system in becoming strong enough to fight off the virus. In fact, the coronavirus is a lot like the flu. That is why it is best for infected individuals to rest properly and drink a lot of fluids. In certain severe cases, people may exhibit trouble breathing in which case they may need oxygen support. So far, it has been estimated that older people are more susceptible to the virus as the majority of reported fatal cases have been among the elderly. People with preexisting health conditions are also at a higher risk.
You Can Get the Virus from Your Pet
The coronavirus is spread through close physical contact with the virus particles being able to pass around within 6 feet of an infected person. This is what we know for sure, whereas whether cats and dogs can get infected and pass on the virus isn’t something backed up with enough evidence.
Eating Meat is What Caused the Virus
Scientists suspect that the virus originated in a Chinese wet market . This is due to the fact that in those markets people coexist in cramped quarters along with dead and alive animals. It is very possible that this bit of suspicion has been spread around and misinterpreted by many people. However, there’s no evidence that the virus is linked to eating meat.
You Can Get the Virus by Touching Imported Goods
This myth has caused a lot of panic among people. Many fear that they might be able to contract the virus from imported goods which had been packed by people in other countries. According to health experts, the virus can live for only a few hours on hard surfaces. This means that the only viable fear regarding contracting is related to close contact with infected people.
The Coronavirus Can be Transmitted with Great Ease
The particles of the coronavirus are quite heavy. Due to this, they are bound to fall to the ground around the sick person – as opposed to lingering in the air and thus becoming airborne. This is, in fact, a positive fact since that renders the virus less contagious than the measles, for instance. Epidemiologists state that a single infected person can manage to spread the illness to one to three other people. That is a fact that furthermore makes the coronavirus similar to the common flu.
Garlic as Prevention or Cure
While it is true that garlic has certain antimicrobial properties, there’s no reason to believe it can be the main superhero in the fight against the coronavirus.
Marijuana as Cure
There is evidence that supports the claims that marijuana contains antibacterial cannabinoids which can successfully kill bacteria. In light of that, scientists are considering the option of using weed to treat antibiotic-resistant diseases one day.However, as stated above, the coronavirus is a viral illness, not a bacterial, so nothing with antibacterial properties is going to be of use when it comes to curing it. Finally, the most important and absolutely true bit of info we got regarding preventing the spreading of this virus is the importance of personal hygiene. Also, health experts remind us of the importance to wash hands thoroughly without skipping the use of soap as it is precisely the frictional movement of the hands that gets the virus particles, along with plenty of other bacteria, off of one’s hands. And while hand sanitizers are quite helpful when on the go, remember that nothing beats a good 20-second rub with soap and water.