Do Not Fall For These Five Things If You're Trying To Protect Yourself From COVID

In order to make sense of the world around us, our minds crave narratives and stories. And to create these narratives, some depend on the truisms that they believe in and the myths that have been served to them via social media. Hence, not surprisingly, as COVID-19 hit the world in early 2020, many resorted to unverified, unproven solutions to the virus.

Smelling camphor from a white cloth

One such message has been going viral on social media claiming that smelling a combination of camphor, cloves (laung), carrom seeds (ajwain) and a few drops of eucalyptus oil can help in increasing oxygen levels in the body. The viral message is accompanied by a photo showing the above-mentioned ingredients on a small white cloth.

The claim comes when several states in the country are going through massive oxygen shortages amid the second wave of COVID-19. However, we didn't find any scientific evidence to back the claim. We also spoke with experts who called this claim a myth.

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The complete message in the viral post read, "Camphor, lavang, ajwain , few drops eucalyptus oil. Make potli and keep smelling it throughout the day and night . Helps increase oxygen levels and congestion. This potli is also given to tourists in Ladakh when oxygen levels are low. Many ambulances are now keeping these too." The same message was also shared in Gujarati and was shared widely on both Facebook and Twitter.

However, doctors confirmed that smelling camphor does not increase oxygen levels. Smelling camphor clears blockages in the nasal passage that gives the feeling of better airflow, they said.

He was maintaining spo2 of 95 percent on 12 litre NRBM so I was quite shocked when sister suddenly came running to inform me that the patient is having severe coughing. I was on the other side of the ward trying to explain another old man to wear his O2 masks snugly 1/n

¡ª Dr. Devashish Palkar (@DevPalkar) April 20, 2021

Coronil kit from Ramdev's Patanjali

Another such message that has been doing rounds on social media -- Ramdev's Patanjali Research Institute about its protective kit named Divya Swasari Coronil kit, which consists of Ashvagndha, Giloy, Tulsi, Kakda Singi, Rudanti and powerful minerals. Launched last year, Ramdev's 'Coronil kit' had sparked massive debates over its efficacy to prevent coronavirus. In February this year, the AYUSH Ministry had approved Patanjali Ayurved's Coronil for the treatment of Covid-19.

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The World health organisation (WHO), however, sidelined itself from the controversy. In a tweet dated Feb 19, 2021, the WHO South-East Asia wrote, "WHO has not reviewed or certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine for the treatment of COVID-19".

.@WHO has not reviewed or certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine for the treatment #COVID19.

¡ª WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) February 19, 2021

The statement came after, at the launch event of Coronil kit, Patanjali said, "Coronil has received the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP) from the Ayush section of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation as per the WHO certification scheme."

Drinking or spraying alcohol

The WHO have released a response to the series of myths surrounding alcohol and COVID-19. They explain that while alcohol can disinfect the skin, it does not have this effect inside the body.

They continue, ¡°Consuming any alcohol poses health risks, but consuming high-strength ethyl alcohol (ethanol), particularly if it has been adulterated with methanol, can result in severe health consequences, including death.¡±

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Also, in a fact sheet on the subject, they explain that ¡°Alcohol use, especially heavy use, weakens the immune system ¡ª and thus reduces the ability to cope with infectious diseases.¡± And because alcohol is associated with a number of diseases, it may make people more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Also, spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. They are useful to disinfect surfaces when used under appropriate recommendations. But using them on your body can be harmful for your mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth).

Intake of Vitamin C, drinking hot water

Vitamin C was believed to have some healing benefits in the SARS outbreak. Besides, while Vitamin C supplements may help boost your immune system, there is yet no evidence that it might help people fight off coronavirus.

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While drinking warm water can make you feel better, there is no evidence that it will not cure you. Having a bath in hot water won't work either, according to WHO, since the body temperature remains at an average of 36.5¡ãC to 37¡ãC, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower.

Holding your breath for over 30 seconds

You cannot conclude this by holding your breath for 30 seconds. Many young patients can hold their breath even longer, while elderly people cannot hold the breath for 10 seconds even without the infection. The only way to make sure you are not infected is to get a laboratory test done.

Having said that, on the contrary, IIT Madras researchers have found that holding one¡¯s breath can increase the chances of a COVID-19 infection. They found that the process of virus-laden droplets being transported into deep lung increases with decreasing breathing frequency.