Bulos and disinformation about the coronavirus are spreading faster than the epidemic, which contributes to increasing global alertness. Therefore, organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) work, against the clock, to deny, point by point, all the 'infoxication' that circulates on the pathogen.

"We identify the most widespread rumors that can harm the health of the population, such as false prevention measures or cures. And, then, these myths are then refuted with proven information," said WHO, which has created a specific page to clarify All the information about the new pathogen.

Do hand dryers serve to kill the new coronavirus? No, they don't work. The best prevention is to wash your hands frequently with an alcohol-based product or with soap and water. It is important to dry them well with paper or hot air. Do ultraviolet disinfection lamps end up with the pathogen? No, ultraviolet light does not serve to sterilize hands or other skin areas. In addition, they can cause irritation. Do thermal scanners detect people infected by the coronavirus? These types of scanners can detect people who have a fever. They do not allow, therefore, to identify people who are infected but still do not have a fever (the infection takes between two and 10 days to cause fever). Does spraying alcohol or chlorine through the body allow the virus to end? No, pour alcohol or chlorine through the body has no effect on viruses that have already entered the body. These substances can be useful for disinfecting surfaces, as long as the recommendations for use are followed, but spraying them on the skin, clothing or mucous membranes will only harm you. Is it true that the origin is in the bat? These are initial suspicions that have been published in the journal Nature recently. Apparently, the new coronavirus is 96% identical in its genome to the bat coronavirus. The exact focus of the outbreak is still unknown. Among the rumors to which WHO has responded via Facebook is the one that ensures that smoke from fireworks and firecrackers kills the pathogen. What is true? WHO radically denies this possibility and warns that fireworks can cause burns and irritation to eyes, throat and lungs. Is it safe to receive packages from China? Yes, it is safe. Regarding misgivings about orders for products from China, WHO has stressed that there is no risk in these packages. "From the analyzes carried out we know that coronaviruses do not survive long on objects such as letters or packages," said WHO. Does the use of sesame oil or chemicals really help prevent contagion? Sesame oil does not kill the virus, WHO emphasizes, although bleach or chlorine disinfectants do. "However, they hardly affect the virus if you apply them to the skin or under the nose," says WHO, who warns that these practices can have consequences. Can pets at home transmit the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV)? Currently, there is no evidence that companion animals, such as dogs or cats, can become infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against several common bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans. Do pneumonia vaccines protect against the new coronavirus? Pneumonia vaccines, such as the pneumococcal vaccine and the Haemophilus type B (Hib) influenza vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a 2019-nCoV vaccine and WHO is supporting their efforts. Can you regularly wash your nose with saline to help prevent infection with the new coronavirus? There is no evidence that regularly washing your nose with saline solution has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus. There is limited evidence that regularly washing your nose with saline solution can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, washing your nose regularly has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections. Can gargling with mouthwash protect you from infection with the new coronavirus? There is no evidence that the use of mouthwash protects you from infection with the new coronavirus. Some brands or mouthwashes can remove certain microbes for a few minutes in the saliva of the mouth. However, this does not mean that you are protected from the 2019-nCoV infection. 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 of the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus. Does the new coronavirus affect older people or younger people are also susceptible? The new coronavirus can infect people of all Ages (2019-nCoV). Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill with the virus. WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example , following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene. Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus? No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only against bacteria. The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial coinfection is possible. Are there any specific medications to prevent or treat the new coronavirus? To date, there is no specific medication recommended to prevent or treat the new one. coronavirus (2019-nCoV) .However, people infected with the virus should receive adequate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and people with serious illnesses should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners.

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