How to rinse your throat with salt water properly to prevent Covid-19
Home-brewed salt water is difficult to quantify the ratio of clean water and salt; it is recommended to use physiological saline 0.9% gargle properly during the epidemic.
Gargle with salt water to help protect the respiratory tract
Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, former Head of The Department of Infection – Neurology, Ho Chi Minh City Children’s Hospital, said that the nose and throat are the path of infection of nCoV. Many people believe that regularly rinsing the throat, washing the nose with salt water can prevent covid-19 infection. But there is not enough evidence to prove how this helps fight or cure Covid-19.
Gargling with salt water contributes to overcoming the symptoms of the common cold, reducing the risk of respiratory infections, supporting the reduction of sore throat symptoms, reducing throat entanglement, balancing the pH state of the mucous membranes and the mucus layer on the surface of the throat mucosa. Thanks to its alkalizing effect, salt water increases the pH in the mouth that helps prevent the proliferation of bacteria.
Dr. Khanh added that many people think that the saltyer the salt water, the more antiseptic and antiseptic will be, so it has been mixed very salty to rinse the mouth daily. However, this accidentally causes damage to the mucosa of the throat area, causing the throat to dry out, even scratches, bleeding. It is recommended to rinse the throat only 2-3 times a day, it is recommended to use 0.9% physiological saline available at pharmacies for the correct concentration of istquacy and more convenient.
“Before nCoV enters the lungs and causes dangerous complications, it must pass through the nostril area, which proliferates in the pharynx area. After a period of incubation, the new virus moves down the lower respiratory tract of the bronchial lung. If you protect this first “checkpoint” well by cleaning the nose, antiseptic throat gargles will better support disease prevention,” Dr. Khanh added.
Rinse your mouth with salt water every day keeping the throat area cleaner, limiting the proliferation of bacteria. Image: Shutterstock.
Specialist II Tran Thi Thuy Hang, Head of Otolaryngology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital HO CHI MINH CITY recommends, gargles and gargles completely differently. Many people only clean their mouths, not their throats. Rinse the throat is to let the saline solution down the throat and wheeze backwards, doing so to wash the throat area. It is necessary to do at least 30 seconds each time you rinse your throat.
The use of salt water
Dr. Thuy Hang added that there are currently a number of types of saline water (or NaCl solution of sodium chloride) with different ingredients and uses.
Physiological saline: saline solution is prepared with a pure NaCl/ distilled water ratio of 0.9% (i.e. in a liter of distilled water there are 9 grams of pure sodium chloride). This type of salt water can be used daily.
Superior salt water: saline solution has a higher ratio of pure NaCl / distilled water than 0.9%. The higher the concentration of NaCl, the more favorable the solution. Dr. Thuy Hang cited research by European experts showing that higher salt levels (1.5%) have the ability to inhibit nCoV and many other viruses. Before using this type of salt water, you should consult a doctor.
Blemished brine: saline solution has a 0.9% lower ratio of pure NaCl/ distilled water. The lower the concentration of NaCl, the more debilitating the solution. This type is rarely used for washing the nose, often combining hyaluronic acid to enhance the ability to moisturize the nasal mucosa, which can be used for young children.
Instead of making your own salt water, use 0.9% physiological saline available at pharmacies to be at the right level of isequacy. Image: Shutterstock.
According to Dr. Thuy Hang, home-brewed salt water is difficult to quantify the ratio of water to clean salt (grain salt, refined salt …) so it is necessary to pay great attention. If the salt water is too salty (favorable) can cause ulcers of the lining of the pharynx and adversely affect people with hypertension, kidney disease. If the salt water is too light (blemished) will have little antiseptic effect and neutralize the pH, so when used almost does not bring effectiveness.
You can rinse your salt water throat before and after going out or immediately after contact with others. Besides, adhering to the 5K principle and building a balanced diet, regular exercise to improve the resistance to disease prevention is very necessary.
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