Saltwater Gargle Can Kill Covid 19 Virus?
In recent days, many young people share about the regular salt water rinsing as the "secret" to help China reduce the number of cases significantly. But in fact, can saline rinses kill the Covid– 19 epidemic virus?
Always believe in salt water rinsing
As what the online community shares, the salt water rinses regularly 3 times a day. After rinsing, drink 5 minutes later, if you are not thirsty, drink water for a longer time, the better. Because this virus can attack the throat and then into the lungs. So when the virus is attacked, the virus will either die, or run down the stomach and it will be destroyed by the acid in the stomach.
That is the reason why people spread each other about the "secret" of salt water rinsing to kill the Covid -19 epidemic virus.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Cam Nhung, living in alley 96 Nguyen Thong (District 3, HCMC) also believes in salt water rinsing. Ms. Nhung said: “Since the information about the epidemic, I have let the whole family rinse with salt water, this salt water I make by myself, I do not need to buy. Because I think salt water has long been known for its antiseptic effects, I don't care if it really works, but it's better to rinse your mouth.
And Tran Thi Hoang Lan, a former student of the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, said: “I just heard that rinsing with salt water will kill viruses, so I went to buy a few bottles of pre-made salt water. used for safety and correct dosage. In general, I still believe that salt water has antiseptic properties ”.
Sharing about this issue, Dr. Pham Le Duy, doctor at the clinic of allergies and clinical immunology, lecturer in the physiology - pathophysiology - immunology department of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, HCMC Received: “It is true that on the consensus of some Chinese experts in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic that salt water rinsing is mentioned, but in fact there has not been any intervention study until now. in order to confirm the effectiveness of this approach ”.
Dr. Duy also said that, however, methods of rinsing with chlorhexidine or Pividone-iodine solutions have been studied to inactivate some bacteria and viruses, including the coronavirus group, but there are no studies on SARS-CoV-2 both. Therefore, it is necessary to combine many methods of health protection as recommended by WHO and the Ministry of Health such as washing hands properly, wearing a mask when going out, avoiding crowds ... to limit the risk. infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Brine is only one of the preventive measures
Thoroughly analyzing the effects of salt water rinsing, Dr. Tran Van Ngoc, former Head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, President of Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Association, said that salt water when rinsing will create In the hypertonic environment, the microorganisms will not have the opportunity to grow and be killed. Even our normal cells, if too high concentrations of salt are washed, they will suffer damage. So in general all living organisms, when the salt concentration is higher, the more the ability to destroy.
However, Dr. Ngoc asserted: "Brining salt water is only a way to provide a partial support, not a complete treatment of the epidemic".
Because according to Dr. Ngoc, salt water can only disinfect in the mucosa, but in cells, it is not affected much. Meanwhile, these viruses proliferate in the body's cells. So the brine rinsing only disinfects on the surface, not deep in all parts of the mucosa.
Dr. Ngoc also said that it would be completely inaccurate to say that the virus that caused the Covid– 19 epidemic attacks in the throat area before reaching the lungs. Because depending on the opponent's droplet, what was the size of that shot. If the size is as large as 10 micrometres, it will be blocked in the oropharynx, the virus will be eliminated by the mucous system of the body. Partly will damage the lining of the respiratory tract, causing proliferation in the oropharynx. Smaller particles, less than 10 micrometres, can go deep into the lower respiratory tract and cause disease. So it's not just being up and then attacking down below, but you can get both and depending on the resistance of each person.