Covid-19 is on the Rise Again. Reduce Your Risk with Three Things You Can Buy at the Grocery Store

On September 17, 2020, Dr. Meyers and his team of researchers published an article entitled, “Lowering the transmission and spread of human coronavirus” in the Journal of Virology. Their goal was to see if they were able to reduce viruses with common household items. They studied the efficiency of these three things and found them effective to protecting yourself against COVID-19:

• The combination of using a saline nasal rinse with added Johnson’s Baby Shampoo to the rinse
• Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash to gargle with

For decades, Ear Nose and Throat doctors have encouraged their patients to use a saline nasal rinse to help reduce inflammation within the nasal cavity.  This is effective because the inside our nose is continuous with the lining inside our sinuses and ears.  Therefore, any cleaning of the nose can help reduce inflammation throughout the upper and lower airways. (See JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery September 2019 Volume 145, Number 9 Page 880)

As of October 26, 2020, the cases of COVID-19 have been dramatically increasing since September 2020.  It is more important now than ever, for all of us to take the necessary precautions by social distancing, wearing masks, and hand washing to reduce the risk of infection.  While you may not be considered high risk, you most likely will encounter someone who is.  That is why it is important for all of us to do what we can to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Meyers’ study also shows that we should rinse our noses with NeilMed Sinus Rinse and add 1 cap full of Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. Prepare the saline as directed on the NeilMed Sinus Rinse package and rinse 2x/day. The Johnson’s Baby Shampoo is effective at cleaning out the sinuses while being gentle enough to prevent any discomfort.  The study also suggests gargling with Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash.  By doing these two things, along with the other precautions previously stated, we can help the fight against COVID-19.

A sinus rinse cleans out your nasal passageways and restores them to optimal performance. By restoring your nasal passages, you can prevent sinus infections. It also washes away mucous, dirt, pollen and other allergens from your nose to reduce allergy and asthma symptoms. Nasal rinses improve breathing and increases the flow of mucous, allowing sinus passages to clear. The Nasal Rinse can be safe and extremely effective, as long as you do it consistently, use distilled water and clean your sinus rinse bottle after every use.

Please keep in mind that this study was performed in a lab and used Human Coronavirus and not SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. The reasons for not using SARS-CoV-2 was it’s less available for research, it’s very expensive and would require high levels of biosafety laboratory precautions. Also, studies in humans is needed to expand upon these findings. Regardless, the study suggested that using these simple techniques was highly effective at killing viruses commonly causing intranasal and airway infections.

Personally, I have been irrigating my nasal passages 2x/day using the saline NeilMed Sinus rinse, then brushing my teeth, then spraying 1 spray of Fluticasone (generic Flonase). I also use a mouthwash/plaque rinse which does not have the same ingredients as Listerine Antiseptic. Since reading this article in the Journal of medical Virology, I will begin gargling with Listerine Antiseptic, as well.

Are these methods of protection a guarantee of COVID avoidance? Unfortunately, it is not. However, every little adjustment to our daily lives may make a difference to us, our coworkers, our family/friends and our community. With the holiday season rapidly approaching, maybe a copy of this blog, a NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit, a bottle of Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash may make a perfect gift!

Check out this short video to learn how to perform a sinus nasal rinse and follow these steps:

• Step 1: Fill the sinus rinse bottle
• Step 2 and 3: Tilt your Head & Say “Kah”
• Step 4: Squeeze
• Step 5: Clean

If you do feel sick, please contact your doctor immediately.

At Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center, we are dedicated to providing unique treatment plans for all of our patients.  We will work with you every step of the way to complete a plan that will reverse any symptoms related to your ear, nose or throat that are disrupting your life.  Visit us in Scottsdale or Fountain Hills, AZ today!