Pharyngeal Antisepsis to Reduce COVID-19 Pneumonia

Abstract

Antiseptic mouthwash use to control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been proposed, disputed, and dismissed without understanding the proposal and without serious consideration of merits and counterarguments. Adding a proven, safe, and evidence-based clinically reasonable measure to existing approaches of universal masking and social distancing, while awaiting a safe and effective vaccine, seems a constructive approach worth implementing and observing for efficacy. We describe how adding pharyngeal antisepsis, “washing the throat,” before sleeping, when healthy adults of all ages aspirate material from above the larynx, can help protect individuals against COVID-19 pneumonia and, hence, help protect society. We also address critiques presented against widespread adoption of pharyngeal antisepsis.