Using Social Media to Debunk Covid-19 Myths

Abstract

Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, it is noteworthy to highlight a huge stream of misinformation and false treatment methods that emerged during this troubled period, in parallel with the need to obtain data quickly, a real race of publications of scientific works of dubious character and low scientific accuracy was started, being a major contributor to the giant wave of false information that can become as harmful as the infection itself. Two drugs that have gained notoriety in this period, Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin, both have studies developed or in development on their effectiveness, but there is still not enough evidence for the use of Ivermectin in a treatment protocol for COVID-19. Based on the data obtained through the form widely disseminated in social media, it was possible to reach 983 participants. Therefore, in the absence of studies and of a specific antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19, it is necessary for the doctor to make a decision, in agreement with the patient, to use the drug that best fits the condition presented, that is, to individualize the therapy and always think about the relationship between benefits and possible side effects. Moreover, it is essential to emphasize that non-pharmacological measures play a key role in preventing COVID-19, thus, their use should be more encouraged than the use of drugs that have no scientific proof in vivo in the treatment and prevention of this pathology.