Health Experts Warn Against Trump's COVID-19 Disinfectant Cure Remark

Medical professionals and health experts expressed their concerns on US President Donald Trump's musings on whether injecting disinfectant might treat COVID-19. Medical professionals warn that it is a dangerous proposition and that it could kill people. 

Trump, however, said his remarks come as sarcasm. However, health professionals are not taking his comments lightly.

Channel News Asia reports that there were early signs that at least some Americans were preparing to act on Trump's comments. A Twitter post from a spokesman for Maryland's governor indicated that the state's Emergency Management Agency had received more than 100 calls about the use of bleach to treat COVID-19.

Taking Disinfectants is Dangerous to your Health

Doctors and health experts around the globe urge people not to drink or inject disinfectants after Trump on Thursday suggested that scientists should explore inserting cleaning agents into the body to cure COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. 

Dr. Vin Gupta, a pulmonologist and global health policy expert, was quick to challenge the president's improper health messaging. "This notion of injecting or ingesting any type of cleansing product into the body is irresponsible, and it's dangerous," he said.

"It's a common method that people utilize when they want to kill themselves.", Gupta further warned. Gupta warned that ingesting even small amounts of bleach or isopropyl alcohol or any household cleaner is deadly.

The Food and Drug Administration also warned against drinking the chemicals in disinfectants, noting that consumption of such products can cause "nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration."

American Medical Association President Patrice Harris also issued a statement reminding the public that people should "under no circumstances ingest or inject bleach or disinfectant." 

 Harris gave his assurance that eventually, treatment or vaccine against COVID-19 will be found, but it will not be in the cleaning supplies aisle. 

Manufacturer of Disinfectants Issued Caution against Ingesting or Injecting their Products 

The American Cleaning Institute, representing the US cleaning products industry, also cautioned the public that disinfectants are meant to kill germs or viruses on hard surfaces. "Under no circumstances should it ever be used on one's skin, ingested or injected internally," they warned.

The spokesperson for Reckitt Benckiser, the United Kingdom-based owner of Lysol, clarified that "all their products-the the disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended, and in line with the usage guidelines." 

It is not the first time that Trump had pushed unproven medical treatments. A month ago, the president promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug. This promotion is despite the US Food and Drug Administration's warning that such a claim is unproven, and taking such drugs risks serious heart rhythm problems. A recent study of coronavirus patients in a Veterans Affairs hospital reported more deaths from those treated with the said drug than those treated with standard care.  

In late March, an Arizona man died after ingesting chloroquine phosphate, believing that it would protect him from COVID-19 disease.