Will large doses of vitamin C protect me?
There is limited evidence on the effect of Vitamin C on coronavirus (COVID-19) infections. If there is an effect, it is likely small. General vitamin C is fine to take at no more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA), which is found on food labels and vitamin labels. Large amounts of vitamin C can have side effects and should be avoided. Focus instead on preventing illness and avoiding being exposed to the virus.
Ways to protect yourself include:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid social gatherings of greater than 10 people and practice social distancing
Does gargling with bleach, salt water, or vinegar protect me?
These are not effective. They are likely to harm your throat and respiratory tract. Irritation of the lining of these passages could actually make the disease worse for you, if you contract it. Please don’t swallow or gargle with any caustic liquid. None of the above are helpful.
Does spraying myself or family members with cleaning products kill the virus?
These are not effective. They will likely lead to harm to your skin or respiratory tract. Applying cleaning products to the body can cause harm. And they can be very harmful to the eyes, or if they enter the mouth. Please don’t spray any cleaning products on your skin. It will not be helpful in this pandemic.
Remember how to protect yourself and what you should do if you think you have symptoms
What can I do to protect myself?
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid social gatherings of greater than 10 people and practice social distancing
What should I do if I think I may have symptoms or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- Contact your physician: If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call your personal physician. Also, anyone who thinks they may have had contact with someone who is being tested for, or is confirmed to have COVID-19, should call their doctor’s office.
- Medical emergency: If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency or if you are experiencing severe symptoms requiring immediate attention, go to the ER or dial 911.