Fable: Youngsters are “protected” from coronavirus
Airway infections such as coughs and colds are common among children, and they often pass these on to parents and other carers. So are they themselves at greater (or less) risk from catching the new coronavirus? Early signs suggest that while children can get COVID-19, their risk appears to be relatively low and they are […]
Are individuals with weight problems at extra danger from COVID-19?
Recently, the media has reported that people who are obese have a higher risk of hospital admission and death if they are infected with the coronavirus. The government has announced an investigation into which characteristics put people at most risk. Early reports from China did not flag up obesity as a risk factor. However, people who are […]
Fantasy: The virus that causes COVID-19 is only a mutated model of the widespread chilly
This myth came about because there are many types of coronavirus, and some of them do cause colds. However, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is new and did not arise directly from the coronaviruses that cause colds. Coronaviruses are a family of related viruses. Some members of the family infect humans, and some infect only […]
Does shedding your sense of scent imply you have got coronavirus?
Some people who have had COVID-19 have reported losing their sense of smell, leading to reports that it may be a unique symptom of the virus, particularly among those who are only mildly affected. So far, no peer-reviewed research has been published that has asked large numbers of patients with confirmed COVID-19 about their sense […]
Fable: Ingesting sizzling water, or gargling, can stop coronavirus an infection
There have been posts on social media of people advising each other to drink hot water or gargle, to “wash away” coronavirus and prevent infection. While drinking warm water or gargling may help symptoms if you have a sore throat, there’s no evidence that it will protect against coronavirus infection. Coronavirus enters the body through […]
Might faecal transmission be behind coronavirus’s speedy unfold?
Our assesment Bloomberg suggest that the fact that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is shed in the faeces of infected people may help explain why it is spreading so fast. Though there is a grain of truth in this, it could be misleading. Despite the fact that live COVID-19 particles have been found in faecal specimens […]
Fantasy: It’s only unfold by a number of ‘super-spreaders’
Myth: It is only spread by a few ‘super-spreaders’. Fact: The term ‘super-spreader’ is vague and unhelpful. It does not have a clear scientific definition. When using the term, people are normally referring to a person that infects more people than usual. But we should be guided by the statistics. On average, the carrier of the infection […]
Fantasy: Good diet can stop the coronavirus
Myth: Good nutrition can prevent the coronavirus Fact: People cannot prevent coronavirus infection through diet. However, a healthy life-style including balanced diet has a positive significance in maintaining an immune system against virus attack. From clinical observations, the mortality of some patients with underlying diseases is relatively high, which is partly due to insufficient nutritional support. Especially […]