Drinking hot water DOESN’T cure COVID

With an alarming rise in the number of COVID-19 infected individuals and successive deaths there is absolute panic rising among the citizens. 

According to Dr. Tushara Wickramanayake, Consultant Family Physician practicing in UK and Sri Lanka, Corona is a virus that has no cure up to date. “Like all other viruses, this too is self-limiting, which means the body will get rid of it with supportive therapy, depending on the mental and physical health of the patient,”  said Dr.Wickramanayake. 

“I have experience working in the frontline with COVID-19 since March 2020. One of the main symptoms of COVID-19 is a very sore throat. Often people have difficulties swallowing solids and have incredible pain described as the feeling of a fish bone or a razor blade stuck. Drinking excessively hot drinks is one of the most uncomfortable remedies you can recommend. Instead, patients prefer to drink lukewarm or cold drinks, which are more comforting,” she added.

She said that this in response to a video circulating on social media where an unidentified lady is advising people to drink hot water six times per day and to inhale steam six times per day in order to cure COVID-19 in 14 days. An elixir/paniya too had been recommended. 

According to Dr. Wickramanayake, steam inhalation can help with decongesting the airways as a symptom relief, but is NOT a cure. “Those who have severe respiratory symptoms are given Nebuliser therapy instead of steam inhalation,” she said. 

She further said that the Government should take the lead in providing accurate health promotion advice on a perpetual mode of public advertising. “If people start to believe that this can be cured by unsubstantiated home remedies, we are bound to have a catastrophic situation beyond control within days. 

There have been a plethora of publications by WHO and leading organisations  debunking various mythical home remedies including drinking hot water, steam inhalation, ‘dum hatti’, elixir/paniya, garlic, etc. The unfortunate thing is that some of these alternative remedies are promoted by Health Officers who are misleading the general public,” the doctor added.

Dr. Wickramanayake advised the public to follow the WHO website for guidance on anything related to COVID-19. “Be critical when you see videos and posts. If the videos and posts do not have official reference please do not believe and do not share. Fact-check them before you press the forward button,” she concluded.