Impact of Nasal Saline Irrigations on Viral Load in Patients With COVID-19

Detailed Summary

Nasal saline irrigations are a safe and commonly used mechanism to treat a variety of sinonasal diseases including sinusitis, rhinitis, and upper respiratory tract infections. When used properly, these irrigations are a safe and easy intervention available over the counter without a prescription. Additionally, baby shampoo has been found to be a safe additive functioning as a surfactant when a small amount is added to the saline rinses which may help augment clearance of the sinonasal cavity. While many systemic medications and treatments have been proposed for COVID-19, there has not yet been a study looking at targeted local intervention to the nasal cavity and nasopharynx where the viral load is the highest. Studies have shown that the use of simple over the counter nasal saline irrigations can decrease viral shedding in the setting of viral URIs, including the common coronavirus (not SARS-CoV-2). Further, as SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus, mild-detergent application with nasal saline would neutralize the virus further. It is our hypothesis that nasal saline or nasal saline with baby shampoo irrigations may decrease viral shedding/viral load and viral transmission, secondary bacterial load, nasopharyngeal inflammation in patients infected with the novel SARS-CoV-2.

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