While it is important to disinfect your interior well during an epidemic, be careful, however, of certain products toxic to humans, warns the National Health Security Agency (Anses). Because many domestic accidents and poisonings linked to Covid-19 have been reported in recent weeks.
As the coronavirus continues to spread in France, health authorities are recommending never again to wash your hands regularly and to disinfect your interior in case the virus has deposited on surfaces. Beware, however, of certain chemicals that are toxic to humans, warns the National Health Security Agency (Anses) in a press release published Thursday, April 2I.
“Poison control centers are reporting numerous domestic accidents and poisonings linked to Covid-19”she points out, adding that “between 1er and on March 24, 2020, 337 calls related to exposure cases (with or without symptoms) or requests for information were identified as possibly associated with the Covid-19 context.”
“Several specific risk situations have been identified: inhalation of toxic vapours, accidental poisoning of young children following the transfer of household products (in a bottle, in a glass of water, etc.), cleaning food with bleach”, lists ANSES. To avoid them, the agency advises to strictly respect the conditions of use of cleaning or disinfecting products and not to mix these two types of products together, such as bleach and descaler for example.
Avoid essential oils
Do not use floor and surface cleaners and disinfectants to wash yourself, do not clean food with bleach or other cleaners or disinfectants not intended to come into contact with food. When you use these products, or if you make them, “wear appropriate protection (especially around the eyes)”score the French Association of Poison Control and Toxicovigilance Centers in a press release. And of course, remember to keep all household products out of reach of children.
In the event of poisoning, do not refuse a consultation in the emergency room or in a doctor’s office for fear of being infected with the coronavirus. “It is necessary to follow precisely the indications of the poison control center”explains ANSES.
Regarding self-medication if you have symptoms of coronavirus, do not rely on essential oils. They “do not constitute a means of combating the coronavirus”, insists the health agency. Especially if you suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also avoid them. If you have any questions, ask your pharmacist.
Do not stop anti-inflammatory treatment prescribed for a chronic condition without discussing it with a doctor
At last, “a strong need for information was noted around the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, bronchodilators and associated anti-inflammatories, following information from the Ministry of Health mentioning that anti-inflammatory drugs could aggravate the signs of infection linked to the Covid-19 epidemic”notes ANSES.
Above all, do not stop an anti-inflammatory treatment prescribed for a chronic condition without having discussed it with your doctor. “Suddenly stopping anti-inflammatory treatment can lead to a resurgence of symptoms of the chronic condition”. On the other hand, apart from any chronic treatment, do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and prefer paracetamol in case of fever or migraine.
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