Eight common COVID-19 myths debunked by a doctor

There’s a lot of information out there about COVID-19 – from cures to treatments, so it’s important to separate the facts from fake news. Dr. Yoni Freedhoff debunks some of the most common myths surrounding COVID-19 below, and you can watch the video clip above for more info.

MYTH #1: COVID-19 IS JUST LIKE THE REGULAR FLU

In the US right now, COVID-19 is killing more people per day than heart disease and cancer and in just one month, has killed more Americans than a bad flu season does in one year. In Italy they had to bring in troop transports from their army to move bodies. In New York and Detroit, bodies are being piled up and there’s been the concern they’ll run out of body bags. One out of every 800 people living in New York City have died from COVID-19 and the deaths are still climbing. This is not the flu, Dr. Yoni says.

MYTH #2: COVID-19 ONLY AFFECTS THE OLDER GENERATION

While there’s no question the elderly are at the greatest risk, this virus is killing young people too. It also appears as if those that it doesn’t kill, but who it makes sick enough to need hospital based medical care, may be facing long term complications with the virus also seemingly attacking not just their lungs, but their heart, kidneys and brains as well.People of all ages can be infected by this virus. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.The World Health Organization (WHO) advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.[video_embed id='1916454']Yes, there’s a right way you should be washing your hands[/video_embed]

MYTH #3: ONLY THE SICK OR THOSE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS SHOULD ISOLATE

There will always be contrarians, Dr. Yoni says. Right now the consensus is that until certain criteria are met, opening things back up risks deaths and new surges which in turn will again require lengthy periods of shut down. What we need to open back up are the following, according to the WHO:

1. Disease transmission that is under control
2. Health systems that are able to "detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact"
3. Minimized risk in vulnerable places (e.g. nursing homes)
4. Schools, workplaces, and essential places have established preventive measures
5. Risk of importing new cases "can be managed"
6. Communities fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal

Dr. Yoni argues we haven’t met any of those criteria yet, though he does think we’re well on our way. If we open up before those points are in place, basically all we’re doing is putting ourselves back in February again.[video_embed id='1940599']What to expect when you're expecting during COVID-19[/video_embed]

MYTH #4: IF YOU HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR 10 SECONDS OR MORE WITHOUT COUGHING OR FEELING DISCOMFORT, YOU DON'T HAVE COVID-19

This claim, which has been circulating online, is a myth. While breathlessness certainly can be one of the presenting symptoms of COVID-19, there are many, from dermatologic findings in a person’s toes, to diarrhea, to loss of sense of smell and taste. Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort does not mean you are free from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or any other lung disease.

MYTH #5: IBUPROFEN MAKES COVID-19 SYMPTOMS WORSE

No, Dr. Yoni says. This myth stemmed from a report in the early days of COVID that was published as a letter in The Lancet and promoted by France’s Health Minister. But since that time, and sadly with tens of thousands of more cases, the anecdote discussed in the letter hasn’t seen any evidence coming out to suggest it’s true.

Q: Could #ibuprofen worsen disease for people with #COVID19?A: Based on currently available information, WHO does not recommend against the use of of ibuprofen. pic.twitter.com/n39DFt2amF

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 18, 2020

MYTH #6: TEMPERATURE CAN ALTER THE OUTCOME OF THE VIRUS

Unfortunately, there is no indication that warm weather will have a dramatic impact on things. Right now, COVID-19 has hit nearly every country on the planet from the hottest to the coldest from pole to pole. Exposing yourself to the sun or to temperatures higher than 25C degrees does not prevent COVID-19. You can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. Countries with hot weather have reported cases of COVID-19. To protect yourself, make sure you clean your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

MYTH #7: SUPPLEMENTS CAN HELP WARD OFF COVID-19

There are no supplements shown to help ward off COVID-19 or any other respiratory virus. Should you encounter someone claiming otherwise, they’re either well-intentioned and hopeful but ignorant, or worse, they’re just trying to steal your money.[video_embed id='1941727']Can you get COVID-19 twice?[/video_embed]

MYTH #8: IF YOU CATCH COVID-19, YOU'LL NEVER CATCH IT AGAIN

That would be fantastic, but given experiences with other coronaviruses, it’s not likely to be true, Dr. Yoni says. Definitely it would seem that those, especially those with more symptomatic cases of COVID-19, do mount and maintain an immune response to the virus. But what we don’t know yet is how long that response will last, or whether it will protect against future infections. Studies on other coronaviruses would suggest that immunity likely to last 1-3 years, but that some people, even with proven exposure, will still become reinfected though their illnesses. Right now the best things we can do for ourselves and our society as a whole are to stay home. To wash our hands regularly. To live the healthiest lives we can enjoy living at home with as much exercise as we can safely and enjoyable incorporate along with the healthiest meals we can eat.[video_embed id='1923248']BEFORE YOU GO: Frequently asked COVID-19 questions answered by an infectious disease expert[/video_embed]