Should F0 abstain from bathing and washing hair?

Recently, on some forums, there has been information warning F0 to abstain from bathing and washing hair, with the reason being that bathing and washing hair will make the disease worse.

Specifically, on the forum for F0s, a member had a family member infected with the disease.Covid-19shared, her family member was infected with SARS-CoV-2 on the 7th day with mild symptoms (cough, stuffy nose). Things got worse when this F0 went to take a bath. Specifically, after bathing, this person had a fever of 38.8 degrees, SpO2 decreased for 2 consecutive days, then to 90-92, sometimes down to 88, 89. The patient had to be hospitalized, within 2 days the condition continuously worsened, had to use oxygen, and showed signs of a "cytokine storm". This member also confirmed that many patients in the treatment room also said that most of them got worse after 1 bath.

Isolating Covid-19 infected cases at their residence according to inter-family groups and households in Nghi Hoa commune, Nghi Loc district. Photo courtesy of Thanh Son

Another opinion also confirmed that her husband had a fever of 39-40 degrees after bathing and it got worse. Another member also agreed, after bathing she coughed a lot, SpO2 dropped to 86, had to use oxygen. "Now she has been cured for 15 days but her lungs are collapsed, along with all the post-Covid symptoms", the above member shared more.

Therefore, they all advise that if you have Covid-19, you should not bathe, just wipe your body to avoid serious complications. The above sharing has made many F0s worried.

However, according to experts, the concept that F0 "should not bathe or wash their body" for many reasons such as making the disease worse, cold water makes the body weaker, catching "wind cold" (cold wind), the sick body is susceptible to external pathogens... is not appropriate.

Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, former Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neurology, Children's Hospital 1 (HCMC), affirmed: "The notion that F0s should not bathe is a misconception."

Dr. Khanh said: “The weather in the North is cold, patients can bathe with warm water, do not bathe with cold water, avoid taking baths while sick (do not soak the whole body in the bathtub). After that, we put on clothes in the bathroom, do not leave the room to put on clothes, causing the body to suddenly get cold.”

Families need to make a list of locations and items that need to be cleaned and disinfected. Prepare chemicals with appropriate concentrations and ensure ventilation when cleaning in a house with F0 in quarantine. Photo courtesy

Doctors also recommend that after bathing, you should dry your body and hair with a towel, avoid using a fan or standing in a windy place to prevent catching a cold.

“If you don't shower, your body will be unhygienic, itchy, causing discomfort, and insomnia, making the illness worse,” Dr. Khanh affirmed.

Similarly, Dr. Duong Van Trung, Head of the Department of Urology, Post Office Hospital - who is advising many F0s for home treatment, also denied the view that F0s must completely abstain from bathing.

According to Dr. Trung, patients should bathe with warm water. Bathing time should not be too long, patients should bathe in the morning or early afternoon and avoid at night, avoid bathing when having a fever. "Cleanliness is a good way to prevent Covid", Dr. Duong Van Trung said.

According to doctors, bathing and shampooing helps to release dead skin cells (dirt), unclog the skin, improve sweat secretion, improve blood circulation, reduce joint pain and swelling, improve mental health, and improve sleep. In many hospitals, the ICU department still regularly provides dry baths and shampoos for patients who stay in bed for a long time.

To avoid complications, when bathing, use warm water, bathe quickly in a sheltered place, after bathing, dry your body and put on clothes, and dry your hair.

In addition to bathing and personal hygiene, patients should also pay attention to hygiene in eating and living in order to create a clean and airy space. Eating a balanced diet, keeping a comfortable spirit and exercising regularly will help you recover quickly. Excessive abstinence and anxiety will bring on more illness.