On Friday morning, US President Donald Trump left the medical world stunned after he suggested that since disinfectants and bleaches are used to kill the virus, maybe there is a possibility that they could be injected.
Trump later claimed that the media had blown his statement out of proportion and that he was being sarcastic.
Dettol and Lysol maker Reckitt Benckiser Plc has stated that “under no circumstance” should its disinfectant products be administered into the human body, through injection, ingestion or any other route.
However, the question arises: What will happen if you do inject yourself with an disinfectant or a bleach? Technically speaking, you may kill the virus, but there is a bigger chance that you may kill yourself in the process as well.
Depending on the quantity and concentration, you could experience anything from multiple organ failure, cardiac arrest, and death. The main property of a disinfectant is that it is a biocide i.e. it has properties to disrupt a biological system.
I’m a medical doctor with degrees and diplomas…but you don’t need ANY of that to know:
Injecting or ingesting cleaning fluids won’t kill the Coronavirus it will kill YOU!!
Don’t do it!
They are very good for sinks and toilets though!#Trump #disinfectant #Dettol pic.twitter.com/Nh8weOMSxA
— Dr Amir Khan GP (@DrAmirKhanGP) April 24, 2020
When you inject yourself with bleach, chances are you may die a slow death. Injecting large quantities of bleach can damage the kidneys and can even cause blood clots. Bleach damages red blood cells and prevent them from carrying oxygen from the heart to other organs of the body.
Trump also raised the possibility of using UV light to combat the deadly viral infection.
“So, supposing we hit the body with a tremendous (force), whether it’s ultraviolet or just very powerful light – and I think you said that hasn’t been checked but you’re going to test it. And then I said supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way. And I think you said you’re going to test that, too. Sounds interesting,” Trump said.
Trump’s incredulous remarks prompted sharp criticism from health experts who warned people against injecting or ingesting disinfectants, which are highly toxic.