To be clear, I don't think there's any value whatsoever in trying.
There's zero scientific evidence I've seen that supports a claim that iodine has antiviral properties. It's germicidal properties are because it's an oxidizer - the presence of organic matter (the contents of the stomach, not to mention the stomach itself) would quickly render it ineffective at that.
Lots of people are advocating colloidal silver to treat Ebola virus disease right now. Other claimed cures are drinking saltwater, strong tea and coffee mixtures, and kola nuts. These people are also misinformed.
EDIT: Because I don't think the above comment carries the tenor of what I'm looking for...
The response I predict from you is along the lines of "well, with all the human misery, why aren't we trying (...)". It's a common statement with this outbreak.
Here's why we aren't: there are significant ethical quandaries involving giving an undereducated, desperate population experimental drugs that we think might work (ZMapp, TKM-Ebola). The population as it stands is extremely mistrusting of the intentions of aid workers, as evidenced by beliefs that range from "Ebola doesn't exist" to "They're taking you there to kill you!" Some MSF EVD treatment facilities have started showing the bodies of deceased victims to their relatives to prove there isn't an organ harvesting conspiracy occurring.
The absolute worst thing you could do in the middle of a public health disaster is to advocate treatments that make no sense whatsoever. This will accomplish nothing but spreading further distrust of the local and foreign aid groups that are almost overwhelmed as it is.
I think I can agree with the idea that experimenting during the present situation could be damaging for all the reasons you point to. It seem standard treatment like keeping hydrated and isolated are not accepted, we must add confusion with experimentation.
BTW, I have read the advocacy of colloidal silver and the damage it does - I think those guys are nuts. I understand that people will view my iodine advocacy the same way - I face this every time I take kelp in front of my wife...
There's zero scientific evidence I've seen that supports a claim that iodine has antiviral properties. It's germicidal properties are because it's an oxidizer - the presence of organic matter (the contents of the stomach, not to mention the stomach itself) would quickly render it ineffective at that.
Lots of people are advocating colloidal silver to treat Ebola virus disease right now. Other claimed cures are drinking saltwater, strong tea and coffee mixtures, and kola nuts. These people are also misinformed.
EDIT: Because I don't think the above comment carries the tenor of what I'm looking for...
The response I predict from you is along the lines of "well, with all the human misery, why aren't we trying (...)". It's a common statement with this outbreak.
Here's why we aren't: there are significant ethical quandaries involving giving an undereducated, desperate population experimental drugs that we think might work (ZMapp, TKM-Ebola). The population as it stands is extremely mistrusting of the intentions of aid workers, as evidenced by beliefs that range from "Ebola doesn't exist" to "They're taking you there to kill you!" Some MSF EVD treatment facilities have started showing the bodies of deceased victims to their relatives to prove there isn't an organ harvesting conspiracy occurring.
The absolute worst thing you could do in the middle of a public health disaster is to advocate treatments that make no sense whatsoever. This will accomplish nothing but spreading further distrust of the local and foreign aid groups that are almost overwhelmed as it is.