Covid-19 has taken the world by storm and the slightest headache is suspected to be coronavirus. Here are 7 common coronavirus myths busted by scientists.
COVID-19: it’s affected millions of people across the globe.
Why wouldn’t you want to try and protect yourself from this disease?
But with dozens of sources claiming to provide reliable information, it can be confusing to know what news can be trusted.
We’re here to present the seven most common coronavirus myths busted by scientists. And, we’ll also show you how to protect yourself against the virus.
1. Coronavirus Is the Same as a Cold
If you’ve caught a virus in the last few months, it can be easy to jump to conclusions and mistake it for the coronavirus. However, illnesses like the common cold are not the same thing as COVID-19.
Though four of the coronavirus strands can lead to the common cold, COVID-19 does not. Symptoms for COVID-19 can include:
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Muscle pain
Though common cold myths often say you’ll have a fever, it is very rare to have a high temperature with the common cold. Common side effects of a cold can include:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Aches and pains
The virus size comparison of the coronavirus vs a cold can be helpful in understanding the symptom differences.
The common cold is caused by rhinoviruses 30-35% of the time, though more than two hundred different viruses can cause it. In contrast, there is only one strand that causes the novel coronavirus.
Though the average adult has two to four colds a year, the common cold mortality rate is very low. Compared to the common cold death rate, the COVID-19 mortality rate is approximately 3.4%.
2. You Can Protect Yourself by Swallowing, Injecting, and Rubbing Bleach onto Your Body
This is false. Bleach and other cleaning products are highly toxic and should never be ingested in any way. Call 911 or the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) if this occurs.
Bleach can be effective to kill COVID-19 on surfaces. To disinfect surfaces, simply combine 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water used and leave it on the treated surface for at least one minute.
3. There Is a Vaccine for COVID-19
There is no current vaccine for COVID-19, but researchers are racing to develop one.
The good news is researchers do not have to start from square one. Prior research on similar coronavirus strands like MERS and SARS has given scientists a platform to start on. Three main approaches are being taken:
- Live vaccines
- Inactivated vaccines
- Genetically engineered vaccines
A live vaccine would use a weakened strand of the virus just like we use for chickenpox, measles, and mumps. An inactivated vaccine would use a killed version of the virus, like Hepatitis A, rabies, and flu.
Genetically engineered vaccines are relatively new and have not yet been licensed for human use. Though, they could potentially hold answers for COVID-19.
4. It’s Unsafe to Order Products from Abroad
It is safe to order products from abroad. The likelihood of becoming infected with the virus from packaging is very low. COVID-19 can survive for two to three days on plastic surfaces and cardboard for twenty-four hours.
You can always wipe down the surfaces of the commercial packaging with a disinfectant. Check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of approved products to help protect yourself again COVID-19.
5. Face Masks Protect You from Getting the Virus
Face masks can help slow the spread of the virus.
When worn, they help prevent infected individuals from transmitting COVID-19 to healthy individuals. It is believed that the coronavirus may be spreading to others from individuals who are asymptomatic so, it’s important to wear a face mask even if you don’t feel sick.
The CDC recommends you wear a face mask in public settings where social distancing may be difficult such as the:
- Grocery stores
- Public transportation
- Workplaces
Check out cloth face masks to help save specialized N95 masks and surgical masks for health care professionals and those with confirmed cases of COVID-19.
6. COVID-19 Was Made in a Lab
The coronavirus family consists of seven known members that can infect humans. COVID-19 is very similar to two other strands that have triggered outbreaks in recent history, SARS and MERS.
Scientists believe the virus shows signs of natural selection and not genetic engineering.
COVID-19 closely resembles a virus also found in pangolins and bats, and researchers are working on a possible scenario that the novel coronavirus was transmitted directly or indirectly from one or both of those animals.
7. The Coronavirus Is Always Fatal
To date, over one million people have recovered from COVID-19.
Most infected people who experience mild symptoms can recover at home. Individuals who are over the age of sixty and those who have underlying medical conditions are more at risk for complications with the novel coronavirus. Some conditions may include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Cancer
Be sure to social and physical distance yourself to help reduce your chances of contracting COVID-19. If possible try to:
- Work from home
- Do online classes
- Video chat with loved ones
- Postpone trips and vacations
According to the CDC, the majority of individuals who required hospitalization were between the ages of 20-44 years old. Less than one percent of hospitalizations were from individuals nineteen years old and younger.
Data from China suggests symptoms of COVID-19 in children are less severe than cases from adults. Researchers from The United States currently assert that only 1.7% of known novel coronavirus cases are among children.
Myths Busted
COVID-19 has taken the world by storm, and the slightest headache is suspected to be the coronavirus. Understand the myths busted by scientists and get to know the real signs of the virus to help kick COVID-19 to the curb.
Be sure to consult approved resources like the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) for current facts and statistics.
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Many people don’t even know that the symptoms of COVID-19 and common cold are entirely different. This is really a helpful topic for these kind of people.
Face masks can help slow the spread of the virus.
It is safe to order products from abroad. The likelihood of becoming infected with the virus from packaging is very low. COVID-19 can survive for two to three days on plastic surfaces and cardboard for twenty-four hours.
Coronaviruses are one of the most common causes of viral gastroenteritis worldwide. They are single-stranded DNA viruses that cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, as well as fever, nausea, and sometimes mouth ulcers. The most common type is norovirus, which usually causes GI symptoms in young children and older adults. Other types include astrovirus, sapovirus and coronavirus A.