Bust The Myth Bubble: Sesame Oil, Alcohol Sprays Can't Prevent Coronavirus

A lot of what you hear or read about the coronavirus may be myths. WHO data busts a few common misconceptions.

Myth: Pneumonia vaccines will protect you against coronavirus.

Reality: Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against coronavirus. The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts. However, while they are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.

Myth: Ultraviolet disinfection lamp can kill the coronavirus.

Reality: UV lamps should not be used to sterilise hands or other areas of skin. Far from killing the virus, the UV radiation can actually cause skin irritation.

Myth: Thermal scanners can help detect infected people.

Reality: Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever due to the coronavirus infection. However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with the fever. This is because it takes between two and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.

Myth: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the body kill the coronavirus.

Reality: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. In fact, spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (ie eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be used to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.

Myth: Putting on sesame oil will block the coronavirus from entering the body.

Reality: Sesame oil does not kill coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. These include bleach or chlorine-based disinfectants, solvents, 75 per cent ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform. However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.

Myth: Coronavirus mainly affects older people.

Reality: People of all ages can be infected by the 2019-nCoV. Older people, and people with preexisting medical conditions [such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease] appear to be more vulnerable. But WHO has advised people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus.

Myth: Rinsing your nose with saline will help prevent coronavirus infection.

Reality: There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from a coronavirus infection. But there is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from a common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.

Myth: It’s not safe to receive letters or packages from China.

Reality: It is safe to receive letters and packages from China. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the coronavirus. From previous analysis, we know that coronaviruses do not survive long on objects such as letters or packages.

Myth: Pets at home can spread the coronavirus

Reality: At present, there is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with these pets. This will protect you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.

Myth: Antibiotics are effective in preventing and treating coronavirus.

Reality: Antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria. 2019-nCoV is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalised, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.