Nasopharyngeal wash can prevent Covid infection: Lung India

Yash Goyal
Jaipur, May 6

With the world reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, a treatment if opted in early stage of suspected contract with the deadly virus was reported by an international journal Lung India in its latest issue.

By doing salt water gargles and nasopharyngeal wash (Jal Neti) three times a day, COVID-19 could be defeated, the journal suggested.  

Jal Neti is an important part of Hindu Shatkarma, the yogic system body cleaning technique for mind through nasal passageways under guidance of an expert. 

Whereas gargling is the act of bubbling lukewarm water (salty) in the mouth and throat that keeps motion by breathing through it.

An interesting research study authored by Dr Sheetu Singh, a chest specialist at SMS Medical College, Jaipur, has the potential of helping patients to fight against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).  

In this rapid systematic analysis, this type of therapy may have potential of add-on therapy in prevention and treatment of diseases like COVID-19, Dr Sheetu told a press conference at the Rajasthan hospital here.

However, she emphasised on proper learning of the nasal wash technique under expert supervision.

The scientific evidence regarding role of gargles and Jal Neti in prevention of upper respiratory viral infections manifesting as common cold, cough and fever was too evaluated in patients.

The present study showed that gargles and nasal wash may prevent viral diseases entering through nose and throat. Like hand wash, nose and throat wash may also remove or reduce viral load.

In previous studies it has been shown that cells in throat and nasal mucosa convert chloride ion of hypertonic saline to hypochlorous acid (HOCl) having anti-viral effect.

Interestingly, HOCL is also an active component of the bleaching powder, which is used in disinfecting hands by wash.

Many studies have shown that nasal wash and gargles can reduce period of illness, symptoms of the viral disease and amount of viral shedding.

In a study carried out at Edinburgh, types of viruses were also evaluated in upper respiratory tract infections, quoting the findings of others Dr Virendra Singh, leading the research group and chest expert of Rajasthan hospital here, underlined.

Interestingly 56% were rhinovirus and 31% were coronavirus (not COVID). With decreasing amount of viral shedding, the risk of spread of infection in other household people was also reduced, Dr Virendra said, adding  Japan along with face mask and hand washing, gargles are also included in the preventive therapy of national guidelines on influenza control.