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17 March 2020 | Facts and news from Full Fact
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Whether via social media or word of mouth, you’ll likely have come across tips about how to diagnose or combat Covid-19 in the past few days.
They’ve probably been shared in good faith, but these unofficial tip offs can cause serious damage and confusion, preventing the correct treatment or diagnosis.
We’ve pulled together a list of do’s and don’ts to clear up the confusion.
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** But before you read...
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** FACT CHECK
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** DON'T hold your breath to test for the virus ([link removed])
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A number of posts online have claimed that “to test for the new coronavirus, take a deep breath and hold for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing, discomfort, stuffiness or tightness it proves there is no fibrosis in the lungs, basically indicating no infection.”
There is no evidence ([link removed]) to suggest this test can show if you have the new coronavirus.
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** DON'T sip water or gargle to 'cure' or prevent the virus ([link removed])
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Posts have claimed that sipping liquid often can wash the virus into your stomach where stomach acid will destroy it, and that gargling warm water can cure the virus.
This is incorrect. Gargling salt water may soothe a sore throat, and people are advised to drink water in order to stay hydrated when they are ill with either flu or the new coronavirus.
However, there is no evidence that an infection ([link removed]) with the new coronavirus can be prevented or cured by drinking water or gargling.
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** DON’T rely on the sun ([link removed])
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Online posts have claimed that “this new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a temperature of just 26/27 degrees. It hates the Sun.”
There’s no evidence for this ([link removed]) . There’s evidence that similar viruses transmit less well in the heat, but many countries with reported Covid-19 cases are experiencing temperatures higher than this.
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** DO be aware of the symptoms ([link removed])
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The main symptoms of the coronavirus infection, officially known as Covid-19, are a cough and a high temperature.
Additionally, if you have Covid-19, you may also experience other symptoms in addition to the ones above (for example, shortness of breath, aches and pains, nasal congestion, a runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea). Rashes are not a symptom ([link removed]) of the virus.
Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have the new coronavirus— they’re also similar to more common illnesses, such as cold and flu.
But a runny nose and sputum doesn’t definitely rule out the virus ([link removed]) .
If you have a question about your personal health and you are in the UK, the best place to go remains the NHS.
If you feel ill, particularly if you have symptoms of Covid-19 (either a new, continuous cough or a high temperature) use the online 111 service. If you have these symptoms, you should self-isolate in your home, and you should not go to your GP, a pharmacy or a hospital. More information on what you need to do if your condition gets worse can be found from the NHS. ([link removed])
** FACT CHECK
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** DO be vigilant ([link removed])
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Just because it was shared by someone you know, it doesn’t make it true. Make sure to check whether the information has come from a reliable, trusted source.
We may have fact checked the claim already, so it’s worth searching for the claim in our search bar ([link removed]) at the top of the Full Fact homepage.
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** More coronavirus fact checks... ([link removed])
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* It's true that these things kill more people each day than Covid-19 has so far ([link removed])
* We don't know if the new coronavirus outbreak could be stopped by warmer weather ([link removed])
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If you’ve seen some advice on how to deal with the new coronavirus that you’re unsure of, or perhaps a news article about the origins of the virus that doesn’t seem quite right—this is your chance to get your questions answered.
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Bad information about coronavirus won’t be over soon. We need your help.
Over the coming weeks and months, our team of fact checkers be relying on our supporters to help tackle the influx of harmful claims we've had since the start of the new coronavirus.
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Thank you very much for your support and all the very best wishes from the team at Full Fact.
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