COVID Patient Lands In ICU After Drinking Bleach Solution To Treat Virus

A COVID patient in New Zealand was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital after drinking a bleach-based solution in an attempt to cure the virus, reports said.

The unidentified patient reportedly "treated" himself with a water purification product called "Miracle Mineral Solution," (MMS) which has been promoted as a cure for the virus despite no credible scientific evidence supporting it.

New Zealand’s medicine safety authority Medsafe was notified of the incident and said the patient was admitted to the hospital in mid-March, Stuff reported.

"Thankfully, we can confirm the person who needed ICU treatment is now on the road to recovery. Out of respect for patient privacy, we won’t be making any further comment,” Medsafe group manager Chris James said.

The chemical solution has been touted as an effective treatment for cancer, HIV, ebola, and even autism. Health officials on the other hand issued a warning against consuming products like MMS as it can cause potentially life-threatening side effects.

"These products are not approved medicines. Their quality and efficacy are unknown, and we recommend not taking them," the agency said.

MMS contains a high concentration of sodium chlorite, a chemical often used as a textile bleach and disinfectant, which develops into chlorine dioxide when mixed according to the directions. "Consuming these products is the same as drinking bleach," the agency added, News.com.au reported.

Meanwhile, the website that promotes MMS in New Zealand claims that the product works against pathogens, fungi, disease, bacteria, and viruses. However, the company admits that it may also cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Medsafe warned that these symptoms can be life-threatening and consuming MMS can cause low blood pressure and acute liver failure. "Anyone experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or symptoms of severe dehydration after drinking the solution should seek medical advice as soon as possible," the agency added.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, several unapproved drugs have been promoted all over the world as "alternative" treatments for curing the virus including medicines like Ivermectin.

A six-month-old girl in the U.S. turned blue and began throwing up after she was treated with Ivermectin by her grandfather in January. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication used to treat infestations in humans including head lice and scabies. The man reportedly followed the advice he received from an underground QAnon Telegram group whose members believe COVID is a hoax.