The 2019-nCoV breakout has already caused thousands of deaths in China and continues to spread, affecting people the world over. As doctors, you might come across questions on prevention from patients in panic. How do you deal with them? Through this article, we provide you with facts as highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to bust some myths around the pandemic and its prevention.

While the deadly Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has affected thousands of lives in China, the mere threat of COVID-19 has put everyone on the edge. In such a scenario, it is natural that your patients may have various questions and will look up to you for answers and advice on how to stay safe.

To enable you to give fact-based answers to your patients, we give you the following information that you can share with them. The information given here is based on preventive measures published by WHO to help us stay safe.

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Myth busters surrounding the Coronavirus

The information given here is based on myths-busting FAQs published by WHO.

Q: Can I use a hand dryer to effectively kill the new coronavirus?

A. A hand dryer cannot kill the 2019-nCoV.

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Q. Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp be used to kill the new coronavirus?

A. Hands or any area of the skin cannot be disinfected with a UV lamp. Radiation from the lamp can be harmful to the skin and cause skin irritation.

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Q. Are thermal scanners effective in detecting if a person is infected with coronavirus?

A. A thermal scanner can only detect if a person has a fever. The fever may be because of an infection from the new coronavirus. However, a thermal scanner cannot identify an infected person, who is yet to get sick with a fever. It takes an infected person 2 to 10 days to develop a fever.

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Q. If I suspect I have been infected with the new coronavirus, can I spray alcohol or chlorine on my body to kill it?

A. Firstly, spraying alcohol or chlorine on the body cannot help kill the viruses that have already entered the body. Secondly, spraying either of the substances can harm the mucous membranes in the eyes and mouth. Also, the chemicals can damage clothes.

Both alcohol and chlorine can be used to disinfect surfaces, but only if it is advised by an authority figure or healthcare institute. They should not be used without appropriate recommendations.

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Q. Would it be safe to open a letter or a package one has received from China?

A. Absolutely safe! Anything arriving from China does not necessarily make it dangerous. Based on previous observations, WHO states that coronaviruses do not survive for long on letters, packages or any other objects. Hence, one does not have a risk of contracting the new coronavirus from any item that is sent from China.

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Q. Can a pet or pets at home cause the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) to spread?

A. There is no such evidence which states that an animal at home or elsewhere can be infected with the new Coronavirus.

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Q. Are vaccines for pneumonia helpful in protecting against the new Coronavirus?

A. No. Vaccines, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae Type B (Hib) vaccine, do not prove effective against the new coronavirus. The virus is new and so different that it calls for a new vaccine to be invented. Researchers are still trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV.

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Q. Is it true that regularly rinsing the nose with saline can help prevent infection caused due to the new coronavirus?

A. No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline can effectively protect a person from an infection as deadly as the new coronavirus. In general, rinsing the nose with saline may help one recover from a common cold, but there is only limited evidence on that. However, it definitely cannot prevent respiratory infections.

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Q. Can eating garlic help prevent infection from the new Coronavirus. Is it true?

A. Garlic is known to have some antimicrobial properties, however, whether it can protect a person from the new virus, is so far not tested and so, there is no evidence available on its effectiveness.

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Q. Does applying sesame oil block the new coronavirus from entering the body?

A. No. Sesame oil cannot kill the new coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that are known to successfully kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. Bleach or chlorine-based disinfectants, ether solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform, are some of them. However, using them at home or on the body is dangerous and they don’t necessarily have an impact on the virus.

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Q. Does the new coronavirus affect only older people, or can it affect younger people also?

A. Any one of any age can contract the coronavirus infection. Anyone with pre-existing medical conditions, especially respiratory diseases, diabetes or heart diseases, is more susceptible to the infection. Older people, too are more vulnerable to diseases and infections because of their low immunity.

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Q. Do antibiotics help in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

A. No, antibiotics do not fight viruses, they only prove effective against bacteria. Antibiotics will neither help prevent, nor will help treat coronavirus infection caused due to the life-threatening virus. However, if one is hospitalised for the 2019-nCoV, they may be prescribed antibiotics as a bacterial co-infection is possible.

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Q. Are there any medicines available which can help prevent or treat the new coronavirus?

A. Till date, no specific medicine has been recommended to help prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Pharmacological scientists, with support from WHO, are working towards developing medicine. However, while clinical trials are underway, it is important to not treat any infection-driven fever with self-medication or with home remedies. Patients should be advised that if someone around them is infected, they should ensure proper respiratory hygiene for themselves first and provide supportive care to the infected person.

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It is important that all practicinsg doctors share the above-mentioned information with their visiting patients. This will help all of us ensure that patients don’t rely on myths or rumours and instead, use your advice.

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You may dole out the following advice to your patients, as preventive measures, to keep contracting the virus.

1. Maintain hygiene at all times.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly using paper napkins.
3. Avoid drying your hands with used hand-towels made of cloth, if they are too wet. Use a fresh towel or a warm air-dryer if you have access to one.
4. Carry an alcohol-based sanitiser with you, wherever you go, and make a habit of using it to keep your hands clean.
5. It is always recommended to wash your hands with soap and water or take a shower if you have come in contact with pets. Though there is no evidence of pets being victims to the virus, however, basic hygiene can protect you against infections that pets easily contract.
6. You don’t need to be vaccinated or take antibiotics as a preventive measure. However, WHO highly recommends vaccination against respiratory illnesses.
7. Follow good hand hygiene always.
8. Follow good respiratory hygiene as well. Cover your mouth while sneezing and coughing.
9. Clean your nose with a tissue paper and discard it immediately after use.
10. Do not use any special chemical disinfectants or industrial-grade chemicals in their potent forms for cleaning your house. However, continue using regular surface and floor cleaners to maintain cleanliness.
11. If you experience any symptoms of the virus, do not panic. Use appropriate cover for your nose and mouth and approach a doctor immediately.
12. Also, do not assume any symptom is ordinary and try home remedies to cure them. Consulting your physician about your symptoms is important and necessary by all means.

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Reference: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters [Internet]. World Health Organization (WHO). 2020 [cited 26 February 2020]. Available from: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-Coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters