‘Don’t buy into cure claims’

PETALING JAYA: From traditional herbs to body-worn tags, there are many claims of substances or procedures that can “cure” or prevent Covid-19 infection.

The Health Ministry warns against believing unverified claims of non-approved “medical products” as many of these prey on fear as Covid-19 deaths increase globally.

A Malaysian Health Ministry official said there was interest among some people in “self-treatment” to combat the Covid-19 virus, including those who resorted to ordering chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine online to “self-medicate”.

“Because several countries have adopted the drugs as part of their treatment regimen for Covid-19, some members of the public have come to believe that taking them may help prevent the disease.

“This belief has sparked a high demand for these medicines, primarily via the Internet, ” the official said.

The two drugs, along with other treatment options such as remdesivir, lopinavir/ritonavir, interferon beta, are used in the World Health Organization global research trial, in which Malaysia has taken part.

But the Ministry stressed that the efficacy of such medicines in treating Covid-19 positive patients have not been broadly studied yet.

“Its administration to patients must be followed by close monitoring by a healthcare professional to avoid potential harmful effects.

“Many countries have reported cases of hydroxychloroquine poisoning due to unwarranted self-medication, ” the official said.

Members of the public were not only seeking drugs to prevent Covid-19. Some have increased their intake of vitamin C supplements in an attempt to prevent themselves from falling sick, he added.

“There’s a claim that ingesting high doses of vitamin C will bolster the immune system against Covid-19. But there is a specific limit to how cells and tissues can absorb vitamin C from the circulatory system.

“Any concentration above that limit does no good for cells and tissues, ” the official said, adding that unreasonably high doses could lead to diarrhoea and increased risk of forming kidney stones.

The ministry official said claims of treating Covid-19 do not end there. Malaysian social media has recently been abuzz with claims that neem leaves (daun semambu), prepared into a broth, can treat Covid-19 symptoms.

The ministry has since debunked this “cure”, stating that there is no scientific proof to back this claim.

“Crucially, data has indicated that this neem broth is only safe to be consumed by adults in small doses for a short amount of time.

“It is not safe for children as it can cause seizures, vomiting, coma and death. Pregnant women who consume neem leaves or its preparations increase their risk of miscarriage, ” the official said.

Another popular claim on social media was that a special health tag, worn around the bearer’s neck, could prevent viral and bacterial infection through the release of chlorine dioxide gas.

Studies have shown that such health tags have no effect in preventing the spread of pathogens.

“Chlorine dioxide gas is a potent irritant to the respiratory tract, depending on levels of exposure.

“Moreover, the illogical belief in the ability of these ‘health tags’ will result in complacent behaviour.

“Complacent behaviour may lead members of the public to not practice proper handwashing or social distancing, ” the official said, adding that there is no “sure cure” for Covid-19.

“Covid-19 patients are only given symptomatic treatment, which is highly dependent on patient response, in addition to clinical judgment.” - Star