Mouthwash could protect against COVID-19 by destroying the outer layer of fat the virus uses to bind to human cells, scientists suggest

The Daily Mail ^ | May 14, 2020 | Jonathan Chadwick

[DannyTN]

• Scientists urge 'immediate study' of oral rinses during the COVID-19 pandemic
• They virus's protective membrane could be damaged by mouthwash chemicals
• The virus and health specialists stressed that their theory has not been tested
• Rather it's calling for research based on current evidence about other viruses
• WHO says there is no evidence that mouthwash prevents coronavirus infection
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

Mouthwash has the potential to protect against COVID-19 infection by killing the coronavirus before it can infect human cells, according to a new report.

Coronaviruses belong to the class of 'enveloped viruses', meaning they are covered by a fatty layer that is vulnerable to certain chemicals. ...

[DannyTN]

Although this article says they "suspect" it could, but they need to study it, there are prior studies that show that mouthwash is effective against lipid coated viruses.

The antiviral spectrum of Listerine antiseptic.

Sinus rinses may be helpful too. The idea is to destroy the virus before it finds an ACE-2 receptor, or perhaps reduce the viral load by washing it out.

It's obviously not going to cure coronavirus once it's moved into the bronchial tubes or lungs.

It's more of a preventative before the virus finds a receptor cell. But might aid in slowing the virus a bit even once an infection has started.

That's my speculation.

I'd use it if I thought I had a high risk exposure. Like my daughter is having a cavity filled today, I recommended it to her. She responded "haha". I'm not sure what that means.

But she did send me an article this morning about Bright's testimony to Congress and said, "I can't believe you were right about the government lying to us about masks." because there was a shortage.

[SpaceBar]

In before the mouthwash hoarding.

[glorgau]

So, drinking bleach really may have helped ;-)

[DannyTN]

I already have at least one extra bottle.

[LucyT]

How is Listerine stock doing this afternoon?

[Bell Bouy II]

rinse spit repeat at the check out gas station and local watering hole

[DannyTN]

"So, drinking bleach really may have helped ;-)"

Anything that kills you, prevents you from dying from Coronavirus.

[RightGeek]

If there is haording, let me suggest an alternative

[ClearCase_guy]

I feel like I’m missing something. If the virus is in my body then it would be in my lungs, my intestines, my blood, my nose, my mouth, other places.

I can rinse out my mouth and nose and be virus-free in those places. But for how long? What’s the point? The virus reproduces and spreads within my body. Constantly. That’s what it does.

[Bell Bouy II]

Maybe P&G which always does good

[Skywise]

Which means alcohol does the same thing... and probably better.

It’s a good way to get disinfectant into you too!

[nutmeg]

In before the mouthwash hoarding.

Oh geesh... you're right. I am SO sick of empty store shelves!! (Here in CT)

And the constant "currently unavailable" on Amazon.

[DannyTN]

I don’t know. The market was falling yesterday. The market is up slightly today.

I don’t buy listerine, I buy generic.

[wildcard_redneck]

Who knew that antiseptic mouthwashes, originally designed to kill germs and viruses, actually might kill germs and viruses?

Next they will be telling us that electric lightbulbs actually help us see at night but only when they are turned on. What amazing times we live in! /sarc

[irishjuggler]

Okay, I think we know where this one is going...
Trump sees this story.
Trump repeats it and says that it’s interesting.
NBC/CBS/CNN/ABC run stories claiming that Trump’s gullible cultus is now guzzling Scope-and-tonics by the gallon.

[jimfree]

I often rinse with hydrogen peroxide.

[DannyTN]

You know the Japanese were heating whiskey and inhaling the fumes. They said it condensed in the nasal passages and lungs and formed a thin layer that could destroy the virus.

I was planning on using Propylene Glycol (haunted house fog) for basically the same reason. But haven’t needed it yet.

[BigEdLB]

Remember to select blue flavor, not purple or yellow.

[CharlesWayneCT]

I’ve been using mouthwash twice a day now since this started. If not for killing the virus, now that I’m wearing a mask, I want my breath not to smell so bad. :)

Can it hurt? Sometimes people are stupid.

[FreedomPoster]

There’s an article in the links at the bottom of DoughtyOne’s daily CV stats post about a doc touting the usefulness of nasal rinses against CV. I’m a fan myself for head colds / URIs and have a nice powered rinse setup.

Nasal Irrigation Is the Key to Reducing COVID-19 Progression, Doctor Says
https://bestlifeonline.com/nasal-irrigation-covid-19/

And I definitely read something somewhere about front line medical folks using Listerine / mouthwash To help guard against CV. It might have been by one of our FR docs.