Hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for suspected COVID-19

COVID-19 and the ‘common cold’ are both caused by viruses that get into the respiratory tract. Some studies with patients with the common cold have found that nasal washing and gargling with salt-water may be helpful in reducing the length of the illness . However, we do not know if this same benefit is also seen in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. This study will help us find out if nasal washing and gargling with salt-water are helpful in COVID-19. The study involved randomly selected individuals who fulfil the criteria of having the following symptoms: (i) Respiratory symptoms, such as cough and shortness of breath, (ii) Fever, (iii) Muscle pain, (iv) Headache, (v) Sore throat, (vi) New loss of taste or smell, (vii) Severe fatigue.

Individuals who have one or more symptoms of SARS-CoV2 are encouraged to signup for the study on a website. They fill a few forms are then divided randomly into a control and treatment group. Control group participants are advised to follow the standard treatment suggested by Government of Pakistan. The treatment group also follows the standard recommendations but along it perform saline nasal wash a few times a day. The participants of both groups fill a form everyday to record their symptoms for 14 days and then an end of study form. The data shared records the responses of the participants that were collected digitally.