The group mostly at risk for contracting Ebola is the front lines in battling the disease. Many nurses and doctors become infected with Ebola, some recovered while others died. However, the most recent infected nurse from NHS, Pauline Cafferkey, gave Irn Bru a PR boost after crediting it as a great help in her recovery.
Before her revelation, Irn Bru was best known for curing hangovers in Scotland. This orange-colored soft drink is considered Scotland's second national drink aside from Scotch whisky. The national passion for this drink is remarkable. Some gulp this drink for many times a day and replace water with it.
Cafferkey praised Irn Bru as reported in Telegraph UK in helping her recover in her three-week long stay at the Royal Free Hospital. She also praised the nurses and doctors who provided treatment for her during her stay. The 39-year old nurse recalled how drinking lots of Irn-Bru helped her recover during the final phases of her treatment.
However, A.G. Barr, makers of Irn Bru has not released any statement on any medical or health benefit the drink contain. The ingredients of the said drink are a family secret and only three people know it.
Cafferkey's claim is still unproven yet health experts reiterate the importance of rehydrating to battle the virus. They are recommending patients to drink lots of rehydration solution and water, not necessarily Irn Bru, to help in surviving the virus. Some of the symptoms of the disease can cause dehydration which is one of the reasons for death of most Ebola patients. Thus, treatment options of the disease entail rehydrating the patient to prevent hypovolemic shock.
As reported by the Telegraph, Dr. Simon Mardel said in October, that the death toll among Ebola patients can be lessened by 50% if only people know how to hydrate themselves properly.