Paper
Hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling should be considered as a treatment option for COVID-19
Published Mar 29, 2020 · S. Ramalingam, C. Graham, J. Dove
Journal of Global Health
67
Citations
5
Influential Citations
Abstract
ost-hoc secondary analysis of data from our recent Edinburgh and Lothians Viral Intervention Study (ELVIS) pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) acid (HOCl) from chloride ions [3]. HOCl is the active ingredient in bleach. Epithelial cells have this innate antiviral immune mechanism to clear viral infections. Since bleach is effective against all virus types [4], we tested to see if a range of DNA, RNA, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses were inhibited in the presence of chloride ions supplied via salt (NaCl). All the viruses we tested were inhibited in the presence of NaCl. The human viruses we tested were: DNA/enveloped: herpes simplex virus; RNA/enveloped: human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E), respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A virus; and RNA/non-envel -oped: coxsackievirus B3 [3]. In COVID-19, high titres of SARS-CoV-2 are detectable in the upper respiratory tract of asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals [5]. The titres are higher in the nose than the throat sug-gesting measures that control the infection and viral shedding will help reduce transmission [5]. In the context of the COVID-19 Post-hoc analysis of a pilot randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling in adults with upper respiratory tract infection found that in a subgroup with alpha and beta coronavirus infection, the intervention appeared likely to be effective in reducing symptoms and duration of the illness.
Hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling may effectively reduce symptoms and duration of COVID-19 in adults with upper respiratory tract infection.
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