Is Covid-19 the same as flu? The Mayo Clinic busts 7 Covid myths
- As the pandemic continues, there is still a lot of conflicting information about the coronavirus
- Scientists from the American academic medical centre clear up some of the confusion surrounding the disease, its effects and how it spreads
Scientists are working hard to find out as much as they can, and how to curb the effect of the coronavirus, like in this US lab which is working on a vaccine. Photo: AFPAs the Covid-19 pandemic continues, there seems to be a lot of conflicting information, especially details that don’t match what was said earlier in 2020.
Information about Covid-19 has been changing rapidly as scientists learn more about the virus. But those scientists confirm everything they find out before sharing it.
Here the facts regarding some of the top Covid-19 myths:
Myth: Spikes in Covid-19 cases are because of increased testing
Fact: The rise in infections is not related to increased testing.
More concerning than the number of tests performed is the increasing percentage of positive results. This means that the virus is spreading quickly in communities.
Covid-19 testing is critical, as it helps people decide whether to self-isolate, and guides doctors’ decisions for medical treatment. Widespread testing also allows local health departments to monitor the spread of the virus and make recommendations to schools and businesses.
Myth: Herd immunity can be achieved by letting the virus spread through the population
Fact: Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community – the herd – becomes immune to a disease.
This makes the spread from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected – not just those who are immune.
There are some significant problems with relying on community infection to create herd immunity to the virus that causes Covid-19. First, it isn’t yet clear if infection with the Covid-19 virus makes a person immune to future infection. If it does not create immunity, then the herd immunity concept will not work.
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Even if Covid-19 infection creates long-lasting immunity to Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, a large number of people would have to become infected to reach the herd immunity threshold.
Experts estimate, for example, that 70 per cent of the US population – more than 200 million people – would have to recover from Covid-19 to halt the epidemic. This amount of infection could lead to serious and potentially long-term complications and millions of deaths. And if many people become sick with Covid-19 at once, the health care system could quickly become overwhelmed.
Myth: Only the elderly or those with underlying health conditions will get very ill and require hospitalisation for Covid-19
Fact: People of all ages, including children, can contract Covid-19 and could be hospitalised due to the severity of their illness.
The risk of developing dangerous symptoms from Covid-19 may be greater in people who are older or in people of any age who have other serious health problems, such as heart or lung conditions, weakened immune systems, severe obesity, or diabetes.
Myth: Covid-19 is no worse than the seasonal flu
Fact: While both Covid-19 and the flu are contagious respiratory diseases caused by viruses, and people with Covid-19 and the flu may share some common symptoms, after closer comparison, the viruses have been found to affect people differently and they have a number of differences.
Symptoms of Covid-19 and the flu appear at different times. Covid-19 symptoms generally appear two to 14 days after exposure. Flu symptoms usually appear about one to four days after exposure. With Covid-19, you may also experience loss of taste or smell.
You’re feeling unwell. Is it a cold, the flu, or Covid-19?
Covid-19 appears to be more contagious and spread more quickly than the flu. Severe illnesses, such as lung injury, may be more frequent with Covid-19 than with the flu. The death rate also appears to be higher with Covid-19 than the flu.
Covid-19 also can cause different complications than the flu, such as blood clots and multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a new condition that has recently been identified in children and adults.
Another difference is the flu can be treated with antiviral drugs. While no antiviral drugs have been approved to treat Covid-19, researchers are evaluating many drugs and treatments for the virus.
Myth: Cold weather can kill Covid-19
Fact: There is no scientific evidence to believe colder weather can kill Covid-19 or other viruses.
The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5-37.5 degrees Celsius, regardless of the external temperature or weather.
Myth: Taking an antibiotic may prevent or treat Covid-19
Fact: Antibiotics treat only bacteria, not viruses.
Covid-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics should not be used to prevent or treat the virus.
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Some people who are taken to hospital for Covid-19 may receive antibiotics because they have a different bacterial infection at the same time.
Myth: Fabric masks don’t protect yourself or others from Covid-19
Fact: Simply put, wearing a cloth mask has been shown to help decrease the spread of Covid-19. Research shows that a significant number of people who have Covid-19 do not have any symptoms and are considered asymptomatic.
These people may not know they are transmitting the virus to others when they talk, sneeze or cough, or raise their voice, such as with singing or shouting.
How long do fabric masks last? Do I have to throw them away?
You should wear a cloth mask to reduce the chance of transmitting respiratory droplets to others around you. You wear a mask to protect others, and they wear a mask to protect you. For the most accurate information on Covid-19, visit credible sources, such as the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organisation and Mayo Clinic.