Over the last month, there’s been a lot of COVID-19 information circulating on the internet. While some of it has been helpful and informative, unfortunately, there’s been a lot of misinformation as well. Here are the 3 biggest COVID-19 myths that have gained widespread attention.
Myth #1 – Holding Your Breath for Over 10 Seconds Without Coughing or Discomfort Means You’re COVID-19 Free
Unfortunately, being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more – without coughing or discomfort – is not an indicator that you are free from coronavirus. While difficulty breathing has been one of the more publicized symptoms, health experts across the globe have refuted this test. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has even come out and explicitly stated, “You cannot confirm [coronavirus] with this breathing exercise, which can even be dangerous.” At the moment, a laboratory test is the best way to confirm you have coronavirus.
Myth #2 – COVID-19 Only Affects Older Adults & At-Risk Groups
Although, older adults and at-risk groups seem to be more vulnerable to becoming dangerously ill with coronavirus, people of all ages can become infected. In fact, according to the CDC nearly 35% of reported cases have occurred in individuals under the age of 45 as of late March. Over the past few weeks, an even more disturbing trend has started to emerge in which some young adults with no underlying medical conditions are falling to the mysterious illness. The WHO advises people of all ages to protect themselves by following proper hygiene habits.
Myth #3 – Specific Medicines Can Help Prevent or Treat COVID-19
The WHO is actively comparing four treatment options against standard of care to assess their effectiveness against COVID-19. However, to date, there is NO specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus. You should be weary of any company or product that claims to prevent or treat the coronavirus. Most importantly, those with severe symptoms should seek medical help to receive optimized supportive care.
Staying Informed
Discerning fact from fiction can be tough with new information popping up daily. The best way to stay informed is through experts like the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control. Most importantly, make sure to speak out and stop the flow of misinformation when you see it. You can click here to see a full list of COVID-19 Myths Busted by the World Health Organization.