Gargling with salt water has been explored as a simple measure to influence Covid-19 outcomes, with findings presented at a major scientific gathering hosted by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). The discussion centered on whether this low-tech practice could reduce the risk of severe illness requiring hospitalization among people who test positive for the virus.
The study recruited 58 adults between 18 and 65 years old who had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR testing sometime from 2020 to 2022. Participants were assigned to rinse their noses and gargle with saline solutions of two different salt concentrations—low salt at 2.13 grams and high salt at six grams per 240 milliliters of warm water. The regimen required four daily sessions of gargling and nasal rinsing over a 14-day period. The intervention was designed to test whether cleansing the upper airways with saline could influence clinical outcomes in the early phase of infection.
In addition to the 58 individuals undergoing the saline protocol, nearly ten thousand respondents who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 served as a comparison group. The observed hospitalization rate among all participants with coronavirus appeared high in the comparison group, with figures around 58.8 percent. Those who followed the gargling and nasal cleansing protocol showed notably different hospitalization patterns: 18.5 percent in the low-salt group and 21.4 percent in the high-salt group.
Safety considerations were highlighted during the discussion. None of the study participants had hypertension, and the researchers emphasized the need for additional trials to determine safety for people with high blood pressure when using saline solutions for nasal and oral care. The results suggested potential signals that a simple saline regimen could be associated with lower hospitalization rates, but the researchers cautioned that more rigorous, controlled research is needed to confirm any causal relationship and to establish practical guidelines.
Beyond the primary findings, the session touched on the broader role of basic, accessible interventions in respiratory infections. Saline rinses have long been used as supportive care for upper respiratory symptoms, but their effectiveness against transmission or progression of Covid-19 requires careful evaluation with larger, diverse populations and standardized protocols. The discussion acknowledged limitations, including the observational nature of hospitalization data and possible confounding factors such as timing of treatment, comorbidities not represented in the study group, and adherence to the regimen.
The narrative also highlighted the importance of patient safety and clear communication. While saline rinses are generally well tolerated, the suitability of this approach for individuals with certain cardiovascular conditions or electrolyte imbalances remains an open question. Healthcare providers would need to review individual health profiles before recommending routine nasal and oral saline rinses as a component of Covid-19 management strategies.
In closing, the study adds to a growing conversation about how simple, low-cost practices may influence health outcomes during respiratory infections. It underscores the potential value of saline-based interventions as a complement to standard medical care, while clearly stating that definitive conclusions require further verification through well-designed trials with larger and more diverse populations. As the medical community continues to investigate practical, accessible measures, this line of inquiry represents a cautious step toward understanding how everyday habits might interact with the course of Covid-19.
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