Myths about coronavirus - COVID 19

Myths about coronavirus - COVID 19

Coronavirus is a deadly disease
This is not true. If you see statistical, the death rate of coronavirus is approximate 2% which is much lower than SARS where the death percentage was 5 to 6%, MERS where it is 34%, EBOLA 14.4%. If you compare coronavirus with the ordinary flu where the death rate is 0.1, the fatality rate of coronavirus is slightly higher but not very. The problem with coronavirus is that it is highly contagious. Which means that it spread faster amongst people.

What is so unique about coronavirus spread
The spread of the virus means how quickly it jumps from one person to another. The coronavirus appears to have a spread prate of 2 to 3. This means if a person is infected with coronavirus he will transfer it to another 2-3 person. Now if you compare this with the measles virus, the spread rate is 11 to 17 people. So compared to measles infection coronavirus spreads lesser. However, this rate of 2-3 is also an alarming rate and the best way to handle the spread is to remain indoors (quarantine) for the person who has been suspected of having coronavirus infection.

Is India more susceptible to the coronavirus infection
Normally the viruses do not survive in a hot and humid climate. Currently in India, it is the start of summers and the climate is already hot and humid. This makes the survival of the coronavirus very difficult outside the host. However, since it is a very new virus, very little is known about the behavior of this virus. So most likely the virus will not spread as rapidly as we have seen in other countries, but we have to be prepared and take proper precautions.

Is wearing a mask good protection against coronavirus
There is very little study or evidence to suggest that the mass will stop the virus particles from entering into your system However the Mask is supposed to be used by the person who is suffering from coronavirus so that it does not transmit the infection to other people. The only advantage of you wearing a Coronavirus is that you will not infect yourself if you come in contact with coronavirus and it will avoid the self-contamination by putting your hands in your mouth or your nose.

Traditional medicines can be effective in boosting the immunity of a person. The Ayush department of the Government of India has recommended homeopathic medicines to be used effectively in the coronavirus.

Home remedies to boost the immune system against Coronavirus.

• In your daily diet use substances like onion, turmeric, ginger and garlic which has high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties
• Take extra fluid and stay hydrated. This will eliminate the toxin from your body that might cause illness. Drink at least 2000 ml of water daily.
• Lemon has powerful antimicrobial properties and is shown to stimulate the production of white blood cell which fights infection. Hence use lemon in your daily preparations of food.

The author is a homeopathic doctor having his clinics in Mumbai. visit www.homoeocare.co.in for more information.

This article is written in public interest and to allay fears about coronavirus. This does not replace the consultation with your family doctor. Consult your family doctor for more information and clarification.