Hypertonic Saline Use and Traditional Nasal Irrigation: A Possible Preventative Measure against COVID-19

Saline nasal irrigation (SNI) is a clinically established treatment that has been used to manage upper respiratory infections and allergies; there is also some indication that it may be effective in the setting of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The possible advantages of SNI include the following benefits due to the well-known antiviral impact of sodium chloride (NaCl) and the mechanical cleansing effect arising from the irrigation method. First, there will most likely be a decrease in COVID-19 infection rates; second, illness severity will be lowered; and third, community transmission will be mitigated. Despite the need for more concentrated research into these aspects, public health organizations should emphasize alternate infection mitigation measures such as SNI in light of the ongoing COVID-19 problem, low global vaccine supply, and the rapid introduction of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Keywords: Community transmission, COVID-19, Pandemic, Prevention, Saline, SARS-CoV-2.