As Covid-19 continues to make the news, there are myths and conspiracy theories that people actually believe.
In this article, we want to address some of these myths and conspiracy theories.
Only Older Adults and People with Pre-Existing Conditions Are At Risk of Infections and Complications
COVID-19 can transmit on to people regardless of their age. Older adults and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, high-blood-pressure, are more likely to become severely ill.
However, it doesn’t mean that people under 40 are less likely to become severely ill with COVID-19. Just because you are young and healthy doesn’t mean that you aren't at risk. It has been reported that people who’ve had COVID-19 develop live long issues related to their lungs too.
You can still be a risk for someone else. Some people will carry the virus without developing any symptoms, you can still spread COVID-19 to your loved ones who are more at risk than you are.
COVID-19 Is Just Like The Flu
No, it’s not. You can still die from the flu. However, COVID-19 shouldn’t be underestimated. It has similar symptoms to the flu, such as fever, cough, body aches and more.
Both have different levels of severity. Both Flu and COVID-19 can be mild, severe, and fatal.
However, COVID-19 is more serious, because we still don’t have a definite cure for it, as you can see with the global fatality rates.
While scientists are still determining the exact mortality rates based on data still being gathered, it’s likely to be many times higher than the average flu.
Drinking Alcohol Reduces Infection Rate
There are people out there, believing that because alcohol-based sanitizer can disinfect the skin, drinking alcohol will have the same effect for the inside the body.
The alcohol we drink and the alcohol in sanitizer (Ethanol) is different. Drinking ethanol can cause severe health problems and maybe death. Our bodies are not made to handle ethanol levels of alcohol.
Instead, it can weaken your immune system and reduce your body’s ability to fight COVID-19.
Taking Antibiotics Can Prevent/Cure COVID-19
There are people who think Antibiotics can strengthen the body, like when you are normally sick. However, Antibiotics treat only bacteria, not viruses. COVID-19 is caused by a virus.
Taking antibiotics when you aren’t sick can weaken your immune system because antibiotics will kill the bacterias your body needs.
There Are No Long-Terms Effects Of COVID-19
Most people with COVID-19 recover within a few weeks. However, some people, even those who had mild COVID-19 symptoms, continue to experience symptoms after recovery.
It’s especially noticeable with older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions are the most likely to experience long-term effects.
Common symptoms that people have after being treated include shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, chest pain and more. But, there are still many unknowns to how COVID-19 will affect people over time.
Vitamin D Supplements Can Prevent/Cure COVID-19
There have been some studies that show COVID-19 death rates are more in areas where people have lower vitamin D levels. However, the studies do not prove that low vitamin D levels are the cause of death and COVID-19.
There’s no proof that taking Vitamin D Supplements can prevent/cure COVID-19. However, in general, people with high levels of Vitamin D have stronger immune systems.
Information on the internet is a lot, it’s hard to determine what’s true or not, especially when it’s sent to you from someone you care about.
However, what’s most important is that you know where to get the right information. From your government’s health agency or ministry, or international medical organization.