Table of contents:
- Can a dry throat catch you with COVID-19?
- 1,024,298
- 831,330
- 28,855
- Dry throat and transmission of COVID-19
- Fluid intake is important when the throat is dry
The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is said to disappear from your throat if you drink enough water. However, you certainly can't keep your throat wet especially when fasting because you haven't been drinking for dozens of hours. So, does a dry throat put you more at risk of getting COVID-19?
Can a dry throat catch you with COVID-19?
In the midst of widespread news about the COVID-19 pandemic that is confusing, it is easy to find information that is not yet clear. One of them includes drinking water which is said to be able to remove SARS-CoV-2 from the throat.
A number of social media accounts had suggested drinking water every 15 minutes. Drinking water is considered to be able to prevent COVID-19 because water can 'flush' the coronavirus on the throat wall, especially when it is dry. In fact, this is not the case.
The esophagus is different from the throat. The esophagus is the food passage that connects the mouth to the stomach, while the throat is the airway that is located at the back of the mouth and connects the nose with the lungs.
Water can wet a dry throat, but it doesn't remove SARS-CoV-2 from sticking to the wall.
There is also no scientific evidence that water can kill viruses in the esophagus, because it is the immune system or antiviral drugs that can kill viruses in the body.
COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData1,024,298
Confirmed831,330
Recovered28,855
DeathDistribution MapIn addition, the end of the esophagus is different from the throat, which leads to the lungs. Even if your esophagus is quite moist with water, the virus may still be stuck in your throat or it may have moved to your lungs.
Moist or dry throat can both be infected with SARS-CoV-2. In other words, the risk of transmitting COVID-19 is not determined by the condition of the throat. The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to take precautions.
Dry throat and transmission of COVID-19
A dry throat doesn't necessarily make you more at risk of contracting COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 virus from the environment can still enter the respiratory tract.
The risk of contracting COVID-19 increases if you interact with positive patients, travel to the red zone, and do not maintain hand hygiene. You are also more susceptible to contracting the disease if you have close contact or shake hands with many people.
In addition, you are also at risk of catching COVID-19 if you frequently touch things around you and don't wash your hands afterward. This is because SARS-CoV-2 stays on items for several hours to days.
Viruses move to your hands when you touch these items. Then, the virus enters the body when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth without washing your hands with soap and water.
Transmission of COVID-19, especially if the throat feels dry, can be prevented by maintaining personal hygiene and limiting interactions with other people.
Fluid intake is important when the throat is dry
Although a dry throat during fasting is not associated with COVID-19 transmission, fluid intake is still important, especially when you are fasting. The reason is, dehydration can have negative effects that interfere with comfort during fasting.
Make sure you drink enough water during fasting. On average, each person needs at least two liters of water a day. You can work around this by drinking eight glasses of water divided into breaking the fast, at night, and suhoor.
Drink three glasses of water when breaking your fast, then continue with two glasses of water before going to bed. At dawn, end your meal with three glasses of water. You can also change the combination according to taste and convenience.
Apart from plain water, sources of fluids can also come from foods with gravy, as well as vegetables and fruit. Include these three in the sahur and iftar menu so that you get additional fluid intake.
Dry throat does not put a person at greater risk of contracting COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 can still enter the respiratory tract through your nose or mouth when you are exposed to the virus.
Keep protecting yourself by taking the recommended precautions. If you feel you have symptoms of COVID-19 such as high fever, cough, or shortness of breath, immediately go to the hospital for an examination.
