Claim– “We are hearing about the increase of coronavirus cases in Liberia. You all should go back to steaming every day to protect yourselves.”
Full Text: As Liberia witnessed a surge of covid cases, the latest recipe going viral that many claims to help to kill the coronavirus is inhaling steam.
The steam inhalation has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts and WhatsApp alongside a claim that it could help prevent or cure Covid-19 infection.
The claim is false: health experts said there is no evidence that inhaling steam can prevent or cure Covid-19, warning the purported treatment could be harmful.
This is the message: Please share this with our families in Liberia ASAP!!
We are hearing about the increase of corona virus cases in Liberia. You all should go back to steaming everyday to protect yourselves:
Please do this to protect your families:
Steam Inhalation:
(DO NOT SUBSTITUTE INGREDIENTS)
Add orange peel (2 oranges), & 1-2 onions peeled and sliced and LOTS of salt and water (water must be salty) in a medium pot and bring to a boil then turn off stove.
Stand over steamed pot and cover your head with a large towel while inhaling the steam and breathing deeply. Do this once a day for 10 to 15 mins.
*However if you have contracted the virus steam 4 to 6 times a day for 20 mins each time.
Also cut several onions in 1/2 and place them in various areas of your home to purify the air. Onions absorb virus when placed around home and you can also place on the bottom of the feet of someone who has virus.
🙏🙏🙏
Verification: Steam is not recommended as a treatment for the coronavirus by either the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO).
A representative from the CDC previously told Reuters that he was not aware of any scientific studies that show steam therapy helps with the coronavirus (here).
Inhaling steam has been used as a home remedy for colds and upper respiratory tract infections.
Dr. Mosoka Fallah said “some unconventional means work and scientific studies have found that it has few proven benefits, and can cause serious adverse side effects like burn injuries.
“Though steaming may bring a sense of relief for patients experiencing congestion it will not prevent infection, people have believing inhaling steam to stop the infection but not wear a mask.”
“Moreover, there is no basis behind the belief that steam inhalation helps prevent Covid-19 infections”.
Doctors recommend that you follow social distancing and wear a mask. Also, wash your hands from time to time and do not touch your eyes, mouth and nose frequently.
Fact checks by AFP and Africa Check debunked related claims.
Conclusion: The claim is false: Medical experts say there is no evidence that inhaling steam can prevent or cure Covid-19, warning the purported treatment could be harmful.
