The lack of knowledge of most people about the SARS-COV-2 ( Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Corona Virus – 2) virus which causes the disease we know as COVID-19 ( Corona Virus Disease -19) is one of the main causes of positive COVID-19 cases still increasing in Indonesia. Even though a lot of official information from WHO has been presented to the public, there are still misleading myths that are circulating widely and easily make people question again the right way to deal with this pandemic.
Precise and accurate information about COVID-19 is not only important for the general public, but also for medical personnel who are not directly involved in dealing with this pandemic in the field. In order not to be mistaken, first consider the following 10 myths and facts about COVID-19.
Myth: Pets can transmit COVID-19
Fact : The excessive concern that COVID-19 can be transmitted by pets is one of the most widely circulated myths in society. However, the CDC ( Center for Disease and Prevention Control ) states that until now there have been no reports of people being infected with COVID-19 due to contact with pets.
Myth: Children will not catch the COVID-19 virus
Fact : This myth is completely wrong because based on a study conducted by the CDC in more than 1.3 million cases in America, the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in children reached up to 52 cases per 100 thousand people and in 52 thousand cases of death from COVID -19, 16 of whom were children under 18 years of age.
Myth: People who have tested positive for COVID-19 will never catch it again
Fact : Even though the possibility is small, COVID-19 can attack people who have been positive before. Antibodies that form in the body of people who have recovered from COVID-19 are only able to reduce the risk of being reinfected, the same is the case with vaccines. Plus if the person's immune condition is down, it does not rule out being infected again.
Myth: Hot showers can prevent COVID-19
Fact : WHO emphasizes that hot showers cannot prevent you from getting COVID-19 and that the best way to prevent exposure to the virus is to implement health protocols wherever you are.
Myth: COVID-19 infection must be accompanied by severe symptoms
Fact : People with COVID-19 may feel healthy and continue their normal activities without knowing that they have an OTG status (person without symptoms).
Myth: Disinfectant sprays are safe for the body
Fact : Although considered the most powerful virus antidote, spraying disinfectant directly on your body can cause irritation, allergies or even dangerous permanent disorders if too often. WHO does not even recommend spraying disinfectants on the human body.
Myth: Alcohol consumption can prevent transmission of COVID-19
Fact : There is no evidence that drinking alcohol can prevent COVID-19. Alcohol is only recommended as a hand sanitizer if you don't have access to running water and soap.
Myth: Malaria drugs have proven effective in curing COVID-19 patients
Fact : Drugs containing chloroquine have just been proven as anti-malarial drugs and there are no further studies that prove that chloroquine can cure COVID-19 patients.
Myth: COVID-19 patients who die are definitely due to co-morbidities
Fact : Not all COVID-19 patients die from co-morbidities alone. The SARS-COV-2 virus itself attacks the respiratory system which can cause sufferers to experience respiratory failure and lead to death.
Myth: Antibiotics are the best medicine to prevent COVID-19
Fact : Antibiotics have only been shown to be effective against bacteria. Meanwhile, COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so the use of antibiotics to prevent or treat COVID-19 is not appropriate.
Those are 10 myths and facts about COVID-19 that you need to know to avoid misinformation and misinformation. Let's fight COVID-19 together and break the chain of the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Indonesia by always implementing health protocols whenever and wherever you are. #LiveExcellently
Article written by dr. Fahrani Imanina Putri Nurtyas, Sp.PK (Sentul EMC Clinical Pathology Specialist).