Probabilities are you’ve read about a food, drug or other approach that statements to avert, deal with or remedy coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19). But while it could be tempting to use a questionable product or service or approach to keep healthier throughout the pandemic, it’s incredibly not likely to operate and could lead to major damage.

COVID-19 treatment and prevention myths

Presently, no remedy is readily available for COVID-19. Scientists are tests a selection of therapies. But misinformation continues to circulate about means to avert an infection with the COVID-19 virus or deal with COVID-19.

This is what the science claims:

  • Pneumonia and flu vaccines. Vaccines versus pneumonia, such as the pneumococcal vaccine, will not provide defense versus the COVID-19 virus. The flu shot also will never guard you versus the COVID-19 virus. Nevertheless, once-a-year flu vaccinations are advised for every person age six months and more mature.
  • Saline nasal clean. There is no proof that rinsing your nose with saline guards versus an infection with the COVID-19 virus.
  • Large temperatures. Publicity to the sun or to temperatures bigger than seventy seven F (25 C) won’t avert the COVID-19 virus or remedy COVID-19. You can get the COVID-19 virus in sunny, very hot and humid temperature. Using a very hot tub also won’t be able to avert you from catching the COVID-19 virus. Your typical overall body temperature remains the very same, irrespective of the temperature of your tub or shower.
  • Very low temperatures. Chilly temperature and snow also won’t be able to kill the COVID-19 virus.
  • Antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Nevertheless, folks hospitalized because of to COVID-19 could be supplied antibiotics because they also have designed a bacterial an infection.
  • Alcoholic beverages and chlorine spray. Spraying alcoholic beverages or chlorine on your overall body will never kill viruses that have entered your overall body. These substances also can damage your eyes, mouth and dresses.
  • Ingesting alcoholic beverages. Ingesting alcoholic beverages won’t guard you from the COVID-19 virus.
  • Garlic. You will find no proof that feeding on garlic guards versus an infection with the COVID-19 virus.
  • Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection lamp. Ultraviolet mild can be employed as a disinfectant on surfaces. But will not use a UV lamp to sterilize your hands or other locations of your overall body. UV radiation can lead to pores and skin irritation.
  • 5G cell networks. Avoiding exposure to or use of 5G networks won’t avert an infection with the COVID-19 virus. Viruses won’t be able to travel on radio waves and cell networks. The COVID-19 virus is spreading in quite a few international locations that lack 5G cell networks.
  • Disinfectants. When utilized to surfaces, disinfectants can assist kill germs such as the COVID-19 virus. Nevertheless, will not use disinfectants on your overall body, inject them into your overall body or swallow them. Disinfectants can irritate the pores and skin and be poisonous if swallowed or injected into the overall body. Also, will not clean deliver with disinfectants.
  • Health supplements. Quite a few folks take vitamin C, zinc, green tea or echinacea to enhance their immune units. But these supplements are not likely to affect your immune purpose or avert you from getting sick. The nutritional supplement colloidal silver, which has been marketed as a COVID-19 treatment, isn’t protected or helpful for dealing with any illness. Oleandrin, an extract from the poisonous oleander plant, is poisonous and shouldn’t be taken as a nutritional supplement or property solution.
  • Ivermectin. This drug is normally employed in the U.S. to deal with or avert parasites in animals. In humans, distinct doses of ivermectin tablets can be employed to deal with parasitic worms and a topical model can be utilized to the pores and skin to deal with head lice and pores and skin disorders. Nevertheless, ivermectin isn’t a drug for dealing with viruses and the Fda hasn’t authorized use of this drug to deal with or avert COVID-19. Using substantial doses of this drug can lead to major damage. Do not use medications supposed for animals on you.

Aim on points

The U.S. Food items and Drug Administration has been doing work to take out deceptive products and solutions from retail store shelves and on line marketplaces. In the meantime, try to remember that testimonials usually are not a substitute for scientific proof. Also, couple conditions can be taken care of quickly, so beware of quick fixes. A miracle remedy that statements to consist of a secret ingredient is likely a hoax.

If you have a query about a approach for dealing with COVID-19 or blocking an infection with the COVID-19 virus, discuss to your health care provider. To question a query about a COVID-19 medication, you can get in touch with your area pharmacist or the Fda‘s Division of Drug Facts.

Successful COVID-19 prevention suggestions

There are steps you can take lessen your possibility of an infection. When attainable, get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you are totally vaccinated, you can extra securely return to executing pursuits that you could not have been able to do because of the pandemic. Nevertheless, if you are in an space with a superior number of new COVID-19 scenarios, the CDC recommends sporting a mask indoors in public and outdoor in crowded locations or when you are in close speak to with folks who aren’t totally vaccinated.

If you have not had a COVID-19 vaccine, the Earth Wellness Firm (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disorder Management and Prevention (CDC) recommend subsequent these precautions for averting COVID-19:

  • Keep away from close speak to (inside of about six toes, or two meters) with everyone who is sick or has indications.
  • Keep length between you and many others (inside of about six toes, or two meters), particularly if COVID-19 is spreading in your community, particularly if you have a bigger possibility of major sickness. Keep in mind some folks may have COVID-19 and distribute it to many others, even if they will not have indications.
  • Wash your hands normally with cleaning soap and h2o for at minimum twenty seconds, or use an alcoholic beverages-based hand sanitizer that consists of at minimum 60% alcoholic beverages.
  • Wear a face mask in indoor public areas. If you are in an space with a superior number of new COVID-19 scenarios, don a mask outdoor in crowded locations or when you are in close speak to with many others who aren’t totally vaccinated.
  • Address your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Toss absent the employed tissue and clean your hands or use hand sanitizer.
  • Keep away from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Keep away from sharing dishes, eyeglasses, bedding and other house items if you might be sick.
  • Cleanse and disinfect superior-contact surfaces every day.
  • Remain property from operate, university and public locations if you might be sick, except you might be heading to get health care treatment. Keep away from getting public transportation if you might be sick.