Enter a title for this page.

 Coronavirus: Putting an end to received ideas

The COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in hot and humid climates

     Based on the data available to date, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL REGIONS, including hot and humid areas.

     Regardless of climate, take protective measures if you live in or travel to an area where there are cases of COVID-19.

     The best way to protect yourself from infection is to wash your hands often.

     Washing your hands removes viruses that may be present and prevent you from becoming infected by touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Taking a hot bath does not protect against the new coronavirus

     Taking a hot bath does not prevent you from contracting COVID-19.

     Body temperature remains normal, between 36.5°C and 37°C, regardless of your bath or shower.

     Taking a very hot bath can also be dangerous because of the risk of burns.

     The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to wash your hands often.

     Washing your hands removes viruses that may be present and prevent you from becoming infected by touching your eyes, mouth or nose.

Do pneumonia vaccines protect against the new coronavirus?

     No. Pneumonia vaccines such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.

     The virus is so new and different that it requires its own vaccine. Researchers are working to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 and WHO is supporting their work.

     Although these vaccines are not effective against COVID-19, vaccination against respiratory diseases is strongly recommended to protect your health.

Are hand dryers effective in killing nCoV 2019?

     No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing COVID-19. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should clean your hands frequently with a hydro-alcoholic product or with soap and water.

     Once your hands are clean, you should dry them thoroughly with paper towels or a hot air dryer. 

Can I reuse an N95 mask? Can I wash it? Can I sterilize it with hand sanitizers?

     No. Facial masks, including flat medical masks or N95 masks, should not be reused.

     If you have been in close contact with a person who is infected with the new coronavirus or has another respiratory infection, the front of your mask should be considered contaminated.

     You must remove the mask without touching the front of the mask and dispose of it properly.

     After removing your mask, you should clean your hands with a hydro-alcoholic product or soap and water.

Can an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection lamp kills the new coronavirus?

     UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other parts of the body, as UV radiation can cause erythema (skin irritation).

     To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, be aware of all the measures you can take.

For more details: Coronavirus COVID-19: Advice for the General Public

Can spraying the whole body with alcohol or chlorine kill the new coronavirus COVID-19?

     No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body.

     Spraying these substances can be harmful to clothing or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth).

     Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful for disinfecting surfaces, but they must be used according to appropriate recommendations.

Is it safe to receive a letter or package from China?

     Yes, it is safe. People who receive packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. Based on previous analyses, we know that coronaviruses do not survive long on objects such as letters or parcels.

Do pneumonia vaccines protect against the new coronavirus?

     No. Pneumonia vaccines, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.

     The virus is so new and different that it requires its own vaccine. Researchers are working on a vaccine against 2019-nCoV and WHO is supporting them in their work.

     Although these vaccines are not effective against COVID-19, vaccination against respiratory diseases is strongly recommended to protect your health.

Can rinse your nose regularly with saline solution helps prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

      No. There is no evidence that regular rinsing of the nose with saline solution protects people from infection with the new coronavirus.

     There is some evidence that it can help people recover more quickly from a common cold. However, rinsing the nose regularly has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.

Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

     Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence, in the current outbreak, that eating garlic protects people against the new coronavirus.

Does putting in sesame oil prevent the new coronavirus from entering the body?

     No. Sesame oil does not kill the new coronavirus. There are chemical disinfectants that can kill 2019-nCoV on surfaces.

     These include bleach or chlorine-based disinfectants, solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid, and chloroform.

     However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on your skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin...

Does the new coronavirus affect the elderly or are young people also susceptible to it?

     People of all ages can be infected with the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

     Older people and people with pre-existing conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) seem more likely to become seriously ill from this virus.

     WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand and respiratory hygiene.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus infection?

     No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only against bacteria.

     The new coronavirus is a virus and therefore antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.

     However, if you are hospitalized with infection with 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the infection with the new coronavirus?

     To date, no specific medication is recommended to prevent or treat the infection with the new coronavirus.

     However, people infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those who are seriously ill should receive optimized supportive care.

     Some specific treatments are being studied and will be tested in clinical trials.

     WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range of partners.

Source: World Health Organization " WHO "