The nose and the mouth represent entry portals for the COVID-19 and other viral infections. Saline Nasal Irrigations (SNIs) can reduce the viral load in the nasal cavities. Oral rinse with antimicrobial agents is effective in reducing the viral load in oral fluids.
The International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology is in favor of saline nasal irrigations as a measure to the current public health measures, to prevent and control the transmission of any respiratory infectious, including COVID-19.
The IJIP said that nasal mucosa represents a vulnerable area for coronavirus to colonize for its abundant blood vessels, mucinous glands and serous glands which create a humid environment.
Saline Nasal Irrigations (SNIs) are often recommended as an additional non-pharmacological preventative strategy to clean the nasal cavities by removing antigens, inflammatory mediators, and microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. In particular, SNIs can reduce the viral load in the nasal cavities. Currently, in the scientific literature, there are few studies on the use of SNI as preventative strategy of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Researchers Slapak et.al. showed that the use of seawater SNIs, three times daily for 8 weeks, reduced URTI episodes than control group without treatment, with a consistent improvement in rhinologic symptoms, medication consumption, reported illness, school absence, and complication rate. Researchers Tano and Tano suggested that a daily nasal spray with saline can prevent nasal symptoms of common cold in a population of otherwise healthy adults.
The other main entrance to the body for the COVID-19 is the mouth. It is known that an oral rinse with antimicrobial agents is efficacious in reducing the viral load in oral fluids.
Personally I use a squeeze bottle made by NeilMed. They provide packets of sodium. I prefer to use a nasal rinse named ALKALOL. I put a small amount of ALKALOL in the bottle with a little warm water. I then squeeze the contents up through my nose. In a separate glass I use ALKALOL with warm water to gargle with.
