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  • 2023-01-12 (xsd:date)
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  • Health experts say no scientific basis for claim that showers worsen Covid-19 symptoms (en)
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  • Posts falsely claiming showers worsen Covid symptoms have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Chinese social media, with doctors among the users sharing the claim. Medical experts told AFP the claim has no scientific basis, and people with Covid who can take care of themselves can continue to shower normally. Guidelines from the World Health Organization for people recovering from Covid-19 infections cover aspects of life such as exercise and returning to work, but do not mention anything about showers. Finally found the reason why I don't feel better after six days of Covid: I washed my hair and showered several times, reads this December 18 post published on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. I experienced all the top ten Covid symptoms, and every time I washed my hair or took a shower these symptoms would show up. Really, please don't shower (after contracting Covid). The video has since been liked 6,000 times. Screenshot of the Douyin post, taken on January 4, 2023 Another Douyin user said in this December 19 post that showering would drain Covid patients of energy, or they might catch a chill. The claim circulated in December as Chinese authorities dismantled hardline Covid restrictions that had been in place for years, leading to a nationwide wave of coronavirus infections. The wave of cases quickly overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums in parts of the country. It not only sparked a run on supplies and medicines but also fuelled the spread of misinformation on social media about the disease. Similar claims about showers being potentially harmful to people with Covid were also viewed more than 950,000 times and shared on Douyin by doctors, including respiratory physician Li Ying and dermatologist Hu Yunfeng who discuss medical topics on social media. It was also shared by the Bruneian actor and singer Wu Chun on Weibo. But health experts told AFP the claims have no scientific basis. Unsupported claims Paul Offit , a member of the US Food and Drug Administration's vaccines advisory committee, told AFP on January 4, 2023 that the claims don't make a bit of sense. University of Hong Kong epidemiologist Ben Cowling also said on January 11: I don't think there is any scientific evidence to support these claims. Covid-19 patients are able to shower and doing so could even help lower fevers, said Leung Chi-chiu , a respiratory expert and former chairman of the Hong Kong Medical Association's advisory committee on communicable diseases. For the vast majority of Covid-19 patients who can take good care of themselves, showering can be continued as usual with lukewarm water in a comfortable and warm environment, he said on January 3. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines for patients recovering from Covid-19 infections, which include advice on managing breathlessness, restarting exercise and physical activity, and returning to work. But the guidelines do not mention anything about avoiding taking showers. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests Covid-19 patients rest, drink fluids and use over-the-counter fever medication, but also does not advise avoiding showers. The claim about showers being harmful for Covid patients was also debunked by Chinese state media outlets here and here . AFP has previously debunked a similar Spanish-language claim about taking night showers after contracting Covid. (en)
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