No mouthwash and nasal irrigation are not cures for COVID-19

The nasal passages and oral cavity are key points of coronavirus invasion and infection, but Myers and the team used tests to recreate how the virus interacted with rinses and mouthwashes.

The virus analyzed was human coronavirus 229e (HCoV-229e), not the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. No human participants were involved in this study.

This study consisted of processing a solution containing HCoV-229e. HCoV-229e is readily available and is genetically similar to SARS-CoV-2.

Researchers introduced various hydrogen peroxide disinfectant rinses and different brands of mouthwash into the coronavirus solution, allowed it to interact with the virus for 30 seconds, 1 minute, and 2 minutes, then diluted the solution to make the virus. Prevented further inactivation.

Myers’ findings are in addition to previous studies examining how effective oral rinses are in inactivating human coronavirus.

Despite that study Release The Journal of Infectious Diseases also relied on laboratory-controlled conditions and did not specifically investigate SARS-CoV-2.

However, Myers and the team believe that a human trial in COVID-19-positive patients is essential to confirm the findings, using longer contact times and OTC nose and mouth rinses that have not been previously evaluated. I am.

“That said, human clinical trials are still needed,” Myers said. “But the data suggest that we are already doing what we need to do. [be] It’s easy and safe to do that. “

Those Clinical trial Currently in progress.

According to Bhayani, the findings are plausible, but they need to answer important questions such as: At what stage of infection does oral or nasal irrigation reduce the risk of infection?

Curiously, baby shampoo-based nasal irrigation showed remarkable virus-killing ability.

“1% baby shampoo nasal wash inactivated more than 99.9% of HCoV in a contact time of 2 minutes,” the study authors write.

The OTC mouthwash / gargle products investigated contained “listerine and listerine-like products that were highly effective in inactivating over 99.9% of infectious viruses even in 30 seconds. [second] Contact time.

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University also pointed out the study It shows that baby shampoo has been found to be safe and effective in treating chronic sinusitis (inflammation of nasal tissue).

When asked if a disinfectant that kills coronaviruses in the mouth, throat, and nasal passages would help delay or prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, Bayani said, “Reducing the burden of the virus and risking infection. I agreed that it might help to “lower”.

Finally, researchers contact the solution with cultured human hepatocytes, wait a few days to check the number of these cells, and calculate the percentage of human coronavirus that has become harmless by exposure to mouthwash or nasal wash. did.

However, these results were the result of controlling laboratory conditions using a different type of coronavirus than SARS-CoV-2. The true efficacy of these disinfectants in humans with the novel coronavirus cannot be determined in this way.

“This is not a substitute for masks or distance,” Myers insisted. “It’s another layer to prevent spread.”

He explained that for those who are willing to return to quarantine, it “may help protect those who live with them” and may provide another layer of protection for healthcare providers at high risk of infection. Did.

“Even if we can reduce infections by 50% by using these solutions, it will have a big impact,” Myers said. statement..

Researchers have investigated a variety of OTC mouthwashes, disinfectants, and nasal irrigators to see how effective they are in detoxifying viruses that are very similar to SARS-CoV-2.

Research results suggest that some OTC products are effective against human coronavirus and can reduce infection or risk of infection, but human trials in COVID-19-positive patients have found new coronaviruses. You need to see how effective it is against the virus.

According to experts, this idea is plausible, but more research is needed to confirm the findings. They also say that mouthwash and nasal irrigation are no substitute for using masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.