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Berlin. According to experts, sunbathing is not suitable for self-treatment of Covid-19 or for the prevention of infection. “UV radiation can, among other things, lead to the suppression of the body’s immune defense,” said a spokeswoman for the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) on Friday. “If you are sick, you shouldn’t expose yourself to the blazing sun – no matter what illness.”
US President Donald Trump announced ideas for possible therapeutic approaches against the corona virus at a press conference in the White House on Thursday evening. Among other things, he pondered options for bringing strong light through the skin or in other ways “into the body” to treat corona infections. He advised people to enjoy the sun. “And if that has an effect, that’s great.”
Skin cancer risk increases due to UV radiation
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In addition to the negative effects mentioned above, extensive sunbathing also increased the risk of developing skin cancer, said the BfS spokeswoman. “For this reason, too, the BfS advises against longer, unprotected stays in the sun.”
President Trump is not the first to consider light as a treatment. Recently, there have been reports of a possible connection between UV radiation and the containment of the coronavirus. “Anyone who thinks that sun rays will kill the virus in us and thus cure Covid-19 is wrong,” said the BfS a few days ago. “These reports are only about the sterility of surfaces or things, it is not about killing the virus on or in living things.” If UV radiation is mentioned in connection with the virus, UV-C radiation is meant.
Harm to people
It is already known that UV-C radiation kills viruses and bacteria. UV-C lamps are used as standard for disinfection – for example in disinfection systems for ponds or in sterile workplaces in laboratories. Like UV-A and UV-B radiation, UV-C radiation is harmful to humans, say the BfS experts.
“Under no circumstances should you look into UV-C lamps, stand underneath them or even hold parts of your body underneath them,” the statement said. The radiation could damage the genome and is carcinogenic to humans. “And that at lower intensities than those necessary for disinfection.”
RND / dpa
