From spraying it on bodies to Gargles: Americans misusing disinfectants to prevent coronavirus

A survey was conducted after US President Donald Trump asked is injecting disinfectants and bleach could treat coronavirus. According to the survey, more than a third of Americans misused cleaners and disinfectants to try to prevent infection. 

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Many citizens were noted washing food with bleach and spraying disinfectant on bare skin. Some were intentionally inhaling or ingesting these products were some of the most commonly reported "high-risk" practices in a May 4 online survey of 502 US adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported.

The author of the survey noticed a  "sharp increase" in calls to poison control centres due to ingestion of disinfectants and cleaners amid the pandemic. 

At least 39 per cent of the people surveyed were indulged in the intentional use of at least one high-risk practice not recommended by the CDC to prevent the coronavirus infection. Four per cent of the surveyed used to gargle diluted bleach solutions, soapy water or disinfectants.

One-fourth of the surveyed have witnessed at least one bad effect on health by the use of such products. 

In April, US President Donald Trump asked scientists during his coronavirus taskforce briefing if inserting disinfectant into bodies of the infected could treat coronavirus.