5 misconceptions about COVID-19, cleared up

Hand sanitizer is good, but soap and water are better, according to St. Tammany Health System infectious disease specialist Mike Hill MD. (Photo via Shutterstock) 

 By Mike Scott, mscott@stph.org

Lately, it seems every day that passes brings more disruptions to the day-to-day life of Americans, all in an effort to stem the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. In Louisiana, schools, movie theaters, bars and casinos are closed. Masses have been cancelled. Restaurants are under orders to offer take-out, delivery or drive-thru orders only.

And while some people might be frustrated by it all, St. Tammany Health System infectious disease specialist Mike Hill MD recently appeared as a guest on “Healthy Living” to discuss with host Melissa Hodgson why such measures aren’t overreactions – and why responsible people of all ages should heed them.   

Below, find five key takeaways from Hill’s segment, in which he clears up COVID-19 misconceptions and shines a light on coronavirus containment efforts.

You can also watch the full episode in the embedded video belowor on the STHS YouTube channel.

Misconception No. 1: Young people have nothing to worry about.

While most young people aren’t considered at high risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19, the unprecedented social restrictions being enacted aren’t necessarily about them. They’re about Meemaw, too.

Statistics show that those most vulnerable to COVID-19 are those with underlying health conditions and the elderly, particularly those over 70 years old. Young people are just as likely to catch it, though – which means they should avoid large gatherings in the interest of their at-risk loved ones if not themselves.

“This is a major inconvenience for everyone, and we understand that,” Dr. Hill said. “But we want to be safe, and it’s not just about you. It’s your loved ones and the potential to give the virus to someone who may be more susceptible.”

He continued: “We’re all at risk for catching the virus, and that’s why we’re going to practice social (distancing). Most patients, 80 to 85% of patients that get COVID-19, are going to have upper respiratory tract infections, fever, chills, much like what you would get from the flu. About 15 to 20 percent of patients are going to have more severe illness that would require a visit to the doctor’s office or even to be hospitalized. About one-fifth of those patients could develop severe disease requiring hospitalization and even ICU treatment.”

Misconception No. 2: The truth about hand sanitizer

“Really and truly, hand washing is the best way to prevent spread of infection, of any type of infection,” Dr. Hill said. “Good hand hygiene is paramount. It’s better than hand sanitizer. The only time we want to use hand sanitizer is when we don’t have access to soap and water. Don’t pass up the soap and water for the hand sanitizer if you can get to the sink and do soap and water.”

And when Hill says “hand washing,” he means vigorous scrubbing for at least 20 seconds – about the length of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself twice.

And that’s not all, especially when using a public restroom.

“(When you’re leaving the bathroom), open the door with a paper towel and then, when you leave, throw the paper towel away, because you can contaminate yourself on the door handle,” he said.

Misconception No. 3: The tissue issue

If it’s done one thing, COVID-19 has provided Americans with a crash course in “cough etiquette” – and particularly the importance of coughing or sneezing into your elbow rather than into your hand. But there’s a big “but” for those who prefer to use a tissue.

“It’s very important, if you cough into a tissue on your hand, you need to immediately hand-wash after you throw that tissue away,” Hill said.

He added: “We’re also asking you not to touch your face, because you get secretions around your nose and your mouth. Touching your face then transfers that to your hand.”

Misconception No. 4: When to go to the doctor’s office

Given the heightened concern about COVID-19, there are those who might be inclined to rush to their doctor’s office upon detecting the first sniffle. That’s not necessarily a good idea unless symptoms are severe or the patient is in a high-risk group, according to Dr. Hill.

“Most people won’t need to go to the doctor,” he said. “If you have mild symptoms – respiratory symptoms, low-grade fever, sort of like you have a bad cold or a mild case of the flu, you don’t need to go to the doctor, necessarily.

“Now, if you have any of the underlying conditions we talked about, it may be important to call your physician or to do a video visit with your physician. But we’re really trying to discourage people, unless they’re really ill, from going into (their doctor’s) office or the emergency room.”

Hill stressed that anyone experiencing respiratory difficulty or increased respirations, or are feeling as if they can’t catch their breath should, indeed, call their doctor. Similarly, those experiencing high fevers – more than 100.4 degrees for people under 65 years old, and more than 99.6 for those ages 65 and over – should also call, he said.

“(But) for the majority of us out there, we probably can stay home and have some chicken soup and time,” Hill said. “There’s no outpatient treatment for COVID-19 right now other than symptomatic treatment, good nutrition and good hydration.”

Misconception No. 5: Revisiting visitation rules

Family members of patients might find themselves taken aback by newly enacted visitor restrictions at Louisiana hospitals that limit visitors to one essential caregiver per patient – and no face-to-face visitors for COVID-19 patients and suspected cases.

Similarly, deliveries to the hospital – of flowers or food – are being turned away until further notice.

Those restrictions, however, are there for a reason, and they’ve been enacted at every hospital in the state at the direction of the Louisiana Office of Public Health.  

“I understand it can be a hardship,” Dr. Hill said, “but it is very difficult to contain the virus if you have people going in and out of the room and you also have other people to care for. It puts a strain on containment and it puts a strain on the healthcare facility if you have more visitors. … We are making sure that (isolation rules are) followed without variation and with every one of these patients to protect our community and our healthcare workers.”