Common Myths On COVID-19 Treatments Debunked By Doctor On Twitter
While his list of debunking was really long, we¡¯ve gone ahead and picked ten most commonly heard myths on social media.
With COVID-19 taking over our lives, all of a sudden there were several things that we were asked to do -- social distancing, wearing face masks, sanitising our hands whenever we stepped in from outdoors, among other things.
Reuters
Also Read: Washing Vegetables To Using Gloves: Virologist Busts COVID-19 Myths On Food Shopping
And all these came along with several myths and rumours that added more confusion and hysteria.
A doctor on Twitter, Dr Haryax Pathak who has tried to debunk several of these myths on the microblogging platform.
While his list of debunking was really long, we¡¯ve gone ahead and picked ten most commonly heard myths on social media.
Covid Myth: Face masks cause CO2 poisoning
Many people have a rather strange aversion to wearing face masks, even after knowing that it¡¯s one of the many ways they can keep themselves and their loved ones safe from infection. One such myth that was scattering online stated that wearing face masks reduces oxygen levels and results in carbon dioxide poisoning.
??PREVENTION MYTHS
¡ª #MaskUp Dr. Haryax Pathak (@HaryaxPathak) April 26, 2021
MYTH:
Wearing masks will reduce O2 and cause CO2 poisoning.
FACT:
Masks DON'T affect the O2-CO2 gas exchange at all. Masks won't reduce the oxygen or increase CO2 in your blood.
A study was also done to prove it. - https://t.co/4CLT37T9gY#MaskUpIndia
2/n pic.twitter.com/meaaolqqNQ
Dr Pathak has debunked this myth, quoting a study published in the journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society, which has revealed that mask doesn¡¯t affect the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange or cause a reduction in oxygen or boost carbon dioxide in the blood.
Also Read: How Indians Are Making A Difference In Wikipedia's Fight On Coronavirus Misinformation
Covid Myth #2: Alcohol consumption kills COVID-19
It is no secret that hand sanitisers are really helpful in destroying germs and they¡¯re made up of alcohol. So some smart legends put two and two together and thought maybe consuming alcohol could help them get rid of the virus in their bodies.
Pathak, linking a WHO debunking post claims that it is impossible for that to happen since the virus infects the cells and consuming alcohol can¡¯t really kill the virus, but it surely can result in liver damage due to alcohol toxicity.
MYTH:
¡ª #MaskUp Dr. Haryax Pathak (@HaryaxPathak) April 26, 2021
Drinking Whiskey or other alcohol frequently will kill the virus in the throat.
FACT:
The virus enters the cells. Drinking a lot of alcohol will not kill the virus but cause alcohol toxicity and liver damage. DO NOT BINGE ON ANY FORM OF ALCOHOL.
4/n pic.twitter.com/aiHAyRYgNy
Covid Myth #3: Drinking too much water washes down novel coronavirus
Another common myth claimed that drinking too much water will help people wash down the novel coronavirus from the body. Pathak debunked this linking another WHO post surrounding the myth, claiming that it would only help the patient stay hydrated, it won¡¯t be able to do anything against the novel coronavirus.
Covid Myth #4: Vitamin supplements for immunity
Another trend thanks to random WhatsApp forwards got many people consuming vitamins to boost their immunity and prevent infection. However, Pathak has debunked this too, quoting another WHO debunking post,
MYTH:#VitaminD supplements will improve my immunity and prevent COVID-19 infection.
¡ª #MaskUp Dr. Haryax Pathak (@HaryaxPathak) April 26, 2021
FACT:
Vitamins are important for good immunity. But supplements should be taken ONLY if there is a deficiency, with the recommendation of a doctor. Excessive intake can cause toxicity.
6/n pic.twitter.com/wFZGSPbszX
For the vitamin immunity myth, Pathak has stated that while vitamins are good for immunity, the consumption of supplements only works in case of a deficiency and upon the recommendation of a doctor. Excess consumption can even lead to toxicity.
Covid Myth #5: Acupressure on palm to increase oxygen levels
Another video that spread like wildfire on WhatsApp was the way of increasing oxygen levels with the help of acupressure. Pathak explains that the oxygen flow is lowered since the lungs get affected due to the novel coronavirus and acupressure on the palm won¡¯t really help.
MYTH:
¡ª #MaskUp Dr. Haryax Pathak (@HaryaxPathak) April 26, 2021
Camphor-ajwain potli will increase oxygen.
FACT:
Camphor-ajwain potli only gives a momentary feeling of relief. It doesn't increase O2 in blood. It cannot treat #COVID19.
Read this:https://t.co/py7p5Hewfv
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Covid Myth #5: Camphor-ajwain potli to increase oxygen levels
Another viral messaging spread on WhatsApp claimed that camphor-ajwain potli betters oxygen levels in the patients. However, Pathak, warned that while they might offer a brief relief, they by no means boost oxygen levels.
Pathak also linked another series of tweets by another doctor named Dr Devashish Palkar whose patient experienced severe coughing with sp02 levels dropping to 65 after the patient was busy smelling these potlis instead of wearing the oxygen mask. Eventually, the doctor asked him to put the mask back on and put the patient on prone position, which enabled the sp02 levels to touch 85-86 percent.
Covid Myth #6: Nebuliser a replacement for oxygen
This was one of the most recent WhatsApp forwards that surfaced after the nation suffered an extreme shortage of oxygen cylinders.
Pathak has debunked this, stating that it doesn¡¯t improve oxygen levels. Moreover, he also posted a screenshot by Sarvodaya Healthcare the same institution the WhatsApp forward claimed to be from, where the institution has stated that they had nothing to do with this and that this wasn¡¯t endorsed by them nor is it backed by any scientific evidence.
MYTH:
¡ª #MaskUp Dr. Haryax Pathak (@HaryaxPathak) April 26, 2021
Common antibiotics will cure COVID.
FACT:
Antibiotics work against bacteria, not viruses. Antibiotics are given only because bacterial co-infection is possible.
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Covid Myth #7: Antibiotics cure COVID-19
Another misconception that was being spread on social media was that antibiotics are effective at treating the novel coronavirus. However, Pathak has highlighted, sharing a WHO debunking post that antibiotics are known to work against bacteria, not viruses, while also hinting that some COVID-19 patients receive them due to a risk of co-infection.
Also Read: CoWin And Maps: How To Find COVID-19 Vaccination Centres Near You
Reuters
Covid Myth #8: Women shouldn't take vaccine during period
Another WhatsApp forward many got shared that women should not get vaccinated due to lower immunity levels during their period cycles. Pathak has debunked this claim, stating that vaccines and immunity have no link with menstruation and that any women going through her cycle can and should get vaccinated.
MYTH:
¡ª #MaskUp Dr. Haryax Pathak (@HaryaxPathak) April 26, 2021
Vaccines will cause Infertility.
FACT:
Again, vaccines have no relation with the reproductive cycles, reproductive organs, or the reproductive process. Vaccines will not cause Infertility. Nor will they cause increased fertility.
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Covid Myth #9: Vaccination and infertility
Another lame myth that many shared was that vaccines cause infertility in men. However, Pathak has stated that the vaccines have no relation with the reproductive cycles or organs or the entire reproductive process in general and hence they can neither increase nor decrease fertility.
Disclaimer: The aim of the article is not to dispense medical advice. If you or anyone around you are exhibiting any symptoms do consult a medical health professional.
