COVID-19 MYTHS BUSTED

MYTH: Taking a hot bath or shower can prevent catching COVID-19.

Taking a hot bath won’t prevent you catching the virus – your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower.

MYTH: The flu vaccine will protect you against the coronavirus.

COVID-19 is new and different and therefore needs its own vaccine, which researchers are trying to develop. Getting a flu shot is encouraged however, to reduce the number of flu patients and help to relieve pressures on hospitals also treating COVID-19 patients.

MYTH: Rinsing your nose with saline or gargling with warm water and salt helps prevent COVID-19 infection.

There is no evidence to suggest that regularly rinsing your nose with saline or gargling with

warm water protects people from infection with the novel coronavirus.

MYTH: COVID-19 only affects the elderly. People of all ages can be infected. Yet older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions appear to be more vulnerable.

MYTH: You need a face mask to protect against COVID-19.

The World Health Organization does not recommend the use of face masks for the general public to prevent COVID-19.

MYTH: It is no more dangerous than the flu. The evidence suggests COVID-19 has a higher mortality rate than the flu.

MYTH: Children are immune.

Children can still be infected with COVID-19 and appear able to transmit coronavirus, even if they have no symptoms. It is generally believed to cause milder symptoms in children.