Antiviral Effect of Mouthwashes Against SARS-COV-2: A Systematic Review

Broad Array of Products Effective at Killing Virus

By Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH

I noticed with the Omicron outbreak that many patients had a sore throat rather than nasal congestion as the first symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection. When I typically get a cold, I usually have a sore throat for several days before the full-blown upper respiratory symptoms develop. I wondered if any of the any of the commercially available gargles had evidence in combatting COVID-19.

Iakov et al performed a comprehensive review of in vitro and clinical studies. The bottom line is that virtually every gargle studied had efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. The advantages of gargling early include: 1) reducing the viral burden of illness, 2) potentially reducing the spread, 3) alleviating symptoms. My experience has been that nasal sprays (effective products as reviewed on America Out Loud Nasal Hygiene Summit) accompanied by 30 second gargles of the solutions presented in the Iakov review are effective provided they are started very early at the initial onset of symptoms.