Drinking bleach won’t treat COVID-19 — and it can kill you, Georgia officials warn
Think drinking bleach will “cure” you of COVID-19? Not so, Georgia health officials say.
In fact, it can kill you.
The Georgia Department of Public Health is warning against the ingestion of chemical cleaning agents after reports of people drinking diluted chlorine dioxide to to “treat” COVID-19.
The bleach-like solution, commonly found disinfectants and industrial cleaning products, can cause “severe, adverse health effects including death,” if consumed, the department said in a Monday advisory.
“Chlorine dioxide products have not been shown to be safe and effective for any use, including treatment of COVID-19,” state health officials warned. “They are not meant to be swallowed by people.”
Ingesting the chemicals could lead to respiratory failure, fatal abnormal heart rhythms, liver failure, low blood cell counts, severe diarrhea and vomiting.
A number of faux coronavirus cures have been floated in recent months, marketed under names like Miracle Mineral Solution, Water Purification Solution, MSS and others, according to Georgia DPH. None are proven treatments for COVID-19, which, as of Monday, has infected more than 256,000 across Georgia, state health data show.
Fake claims and cures
A study conducted earlier this month found that false and misleading claims about COVID-19 cures and treatments are to blame for nearly 800 deaths, more than 5,800 hospitalizations and “at least 60 cases of permanent blindnesss,” McClatchy News previously reported.
Among the rumors researchers looked into were claims that “drinking bleach may kill the virus.”
“Misinformation fueled by rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories can have potentially serious implications on the individual and community if prioritized over evidence-based guidelines,” study authors wrote. “Health agencies must track misinformation associated with the COVID-19 in real time, and engage local communities and government stakeholders to debunk misinformation.”
In April, two Georgia men gulped liquid disinfectant in hopes of preventing COVID-19 — one week after President Donald Trump suggested injecting people with disinfectant as a possible treatment for the virus.
Both men had to be hospitalized but were released after a few days, according to the Georgia Poison Center.
Who to call
If you or someone you know has ingested chlorine dioxide, health officials urge you to contact the Georgia Poison Center Hotline: 1-800-222-1222.
This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 6:02 PM with the headline "Drinking bleach won’t treat COVID-19 — and it can kill you, Georgia officials warn."