Covid-19 Health #YouAsked Can the use of ivermectin as a prophylactic drastically reduce the risk of getting COVID-19? Source SAHPRA Press Release: Update on the use of ivermectin in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 Short answer Can the use of ivermectin as a prophylactic drastically reduce the risk of getting COVID-19? The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has said more research is needed before it could approve ivermectin for use in humans. “To date there is insufficient evidence for or against the use of ivermectin in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19,” SAHPRAsaid in a 2... Back Full answer
Covid-19 Will inhaling steam at a temperature of over 100°C disintegrate the coronavirus? Source Fact-checking Tanzanian president John Magufuli on inhaling steam to treat Covid-19 Short answer Will inhaling steam at a temperature of over 100°C disintegrate the coronavirus? No. lberto Escherio, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health in the US, affirmed that it is “very unlikely” that steam inhalation could treat the coronavirus. He added that "the virus in infected individuals is within cells and [can] not be reached by steam... Back Full answer
Covid-19 Health When is someone with Covid-19 considered to have recovered? Source Meedan Digital Health Lab Short answer When is someone with Covid-19 considered to have recovered? There isn’t a single definition of recovery. According to a team of global health experts at the Meedan Digital Health Lab, a review of Covid-19 recovery guidelines shows that two criteria are common when determining if a patient has recovered: the patient no longer has symptoms and the p... Back Full answer
Covid-19 What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic? Source A Dictionary of Epidemiology Short answer What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic? An epidemic occurs when there is a higher than expected number of cases of an illness in a community or region. A pandemic is the worldwide spread of a disease, usually affecting a large number of people. More: Is the claim of a pandemic every 100 years accurate? ... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Is Madagascar’s Covid-19 solution effective? Source World Health Organization Short answer Is Madagascar’s Covid-19 solution effective? Malagasy president Andry Rajoelina has claimed that a herbal tonic, made from the artemisia plant, could cure Covid-19. The beverage, Covid Organics, was reportedly tested on fewer than 20 patients. In April, the National Academy of Medicine of Madagascar warned against the use of the tonic based... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Is it safe to use hand sanitisers that contain alcohol in the long term? Source U.S. Food & Drug Administration Short answer Is it safe to use hand sanitisers that contain alcohol in the long term? Hand hygiene plays a crucial part in the prevention of the spread of the new coronavirus. According to the World Health Organization, research has shown that nurses who regularly used alcohol hand rubs had less skin irritation and dryness than those using soap and water. As a result of the cor... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Does smoking have an impact on recovery from Covid-19? Source World Health Organization Short answer Does smoking have an impact on recovery from Covid-19? Smoking is known to impair lung function, affect the immune system and can increase the severity of respiratory diseases such as influenza. Although no randomised controlled studies that have directly investigated the effect of smoking on people with Covid-19 are available at present, according to t... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Can Covid-19 be described as a bad flu? Source World Health Organization Short answer Can Covid-19 be described as a bad flu? Covid-19 is a disease caused by a recently discovered virus called SARS-CoV-2, which is a new type of coronavirus. A different virus causes influenza. Both viruses cause respiratory disease and both are spread by contact, droplets and contaminated surfaces and objects, according to the Worl... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Is mandatory mask-wearing by everyone effective? Source World Health Organization Short answer Is mandatory mask-wearing by everyone effective? Members of the general public have been discouraged from using surgical masks and N95 respirators amid global shortages of protective equipment for health workers. But recently updated guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) give examples in which “the general public should be encourag... Back Full answer