COVID-19 : USE OF DRINKING HOT/WARM WATER.
(FACT AND MYTH)

QUESTIONS:

Does COVID-19 stay in the human throat?
Does water wash COVID-19 down the throat?
Can drinking of hot/warm water kill COVID-19?
Will drinking hot/warm water with ginger, garlic or lemon prevent COVID-19?
What are the benefits of drinking hot/warm water?

Recently there had been lots of messages flying on the social media about the use of drinking hot water to wash down the COVID-19 down the throat to the stomach where it will be destroyed by the acids in stomach.

There are some insinuations that the COVID-19 cannot survive in heat so because of this, when an individual that has the virus drinks hot water, the hot water will kill the virus.

Some even put it that, taking hot water for up to three to four days will kill the virus in the throat.

In light of this, it is pertinent to bring out the facts so that people won't live in ignorance.

There are questions that will be raised concerning this issue so that people will be enlightened and answers will be given to the questions.

Does COVID-19 stay in the human throat?

There is no scientific research that shows that COVID-19 stays in the human throat. COVID-19 enters through the mouth and nose. When the virus enters the body, what it does is that it binds with the cells in the lungs such as the goblet cells and cilia cells.

These are cells which produce mucus and prevent the filling up of the lungs with fluid and particles. The virus attacks the goblet and cilia cells to make them weak and vulnerable which makes the lungs to begin to be filled with fluid. And when the lungs is filled with fluid, it makes it difficult for an individual to breathe properly.

Does water wash COVID-19 down the throat?

Since COVID-19 doesn't stay in the throat. There is no scientific research that shows water can wash the virus down. This is a false information flying in the social media. The false information says the virus stays for three to four days in the throat and can be washed down with water through the oesophagus to the stomach.

Like i said earlier, there are no scientific proofs to these claims. So the answer is water(either hot/warm) doesn't wash COVID-19 down the throat.

Can drinking hot/warm water kill COVID-19?

Though drinking hot/warm water may have other health benefits. But there is no scientific evidence which shows that drinking hot/warm water can kill COVID-19.

In the case of SARS-COV-2 and MERS-COV-12 which are in the same coronavirus family such as COVID-19. There is no scientific research that shows drinking hot water will offer protection against the infection of SARS-COV-2 and MERS-COV-12.

Will drinking hot/warm water with ginger, garlic or lemon prevent COVID-19?

There is no scientific proof that drinking hot/warm water with ginger, garlic, or lemon prevent COVID-19.

Though there are other health benefits of drinking hot/warm water with ginger, garlic or lemon.

What are the benefits of drinking warm/hot water?

The normal body temperature range is between 36.50C - 37.50C (97.7F - 99.5F). So there is need for the body to maintain a constant body temperature. That is why those living in extreme cold regions need to ensure that their body doesn't drop below the average body temperature.

Drinking of hot/warm water helps the body in the following areas such as;
- aiding digestion,
- relieves nasal congestion,
- calms central nervous system,
- relieves constipation,
- keeps you hydrated,
- can help in weight loss,
- improves blood circulation,
- helps decrease stress levels,
- helps reduce toxins,
- relieves symptoms of achalasia (which is a condition during which your oesophagus has trouble moving food down into the stomach),
- prevents premature aging,
- prevents acne and pimples,
- aids healthy hair and vitality.
It is even advisable that warm /hot water should be taken early in the morning.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRb-FMEQh4Y