Disputes over the production and dissemination of misinformation in the time of COVID-19. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cazzola, Mario; de Novellis, Vito; Bianco, Andrea; Rogliani, Paola; Matera, Maria Gabriella
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine. Volume 182(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Covid-19 -- Home therapy -- Oral corticosteroids -- Azithromycin -- Heparin; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Thorax -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106380
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-6111

Abstract

Abstract: Ultimate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mitigation and crisis resolution is dependent on trustworthy data and actionable information. At present time, there is still no cure for COVID-19, although some treatments are being used in severe illness. Regrettably, as the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus spreads, the lack of cure has been accompanied by an increasing amount of medical misinformation. In particular, there is a lot of misinformation about how to treat patients who have tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 and who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms and for whom management at home is deemed appropriate. In this editorial, we highlight the risks deriving from this misinformation, which often arises from the publication of studies that are not conceptually and methodologically accurate.