Keep the Airway Clean to Prevent Corona Infection

Prevention of corona virus can be done by maintaining personal hygiene, especially the hands. Wash your hands diligently, use a hand sanitizer, disinfectant, maintain physical distance and increase body immunity.

But not only maintaining hand hygiene, maintaining cleanliness of the airways is also beneficial to prevent infection with this virus.

“The nose is one of the main pathways into the cause of COVID-19, therefore respiratory hygiene is very important,” Educator & Trainer Mundipharma, Mery Sulastri, was quoted as saying by Antara.

Research shows that the carrageenan iota content can help clear the airways. He said, a study showed, Iota Carrageenan had an antiviral effect on a large number of viruses that cause respiratory diseases including common cold and influenza, including human coronavirus.

This active ingredient is usually found in nasal spray.

In addition, maintaining oral hygiene and throat by gargling using an antiseptic mouthwash containing Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) has also been clinically proven to prevent SARS-COV and MERS-COV.

In vitro research shows an indication of 7.5 percent PVP-I skin cleanser and 1 percent PVP-I Gargle and Mouthwash effective against SARS COV and MERS CoV.

“Looking at in vitro research that has been proven from PVP-I, I believe the method is effective for preventing the growth and spread of viruses from the air or droplets containing the virus from the nose and mouth of an infected person,” Mery said.

The Chair of the FKUI Microbiology Laboratory Department, Anis Kurniawati, supported this research. He said the use of antiseptics with broad-spectrum microbicidal activity, such as Povidone-Iodine, could support in preventing the spread of COVID-19 infections.

Previously, the World Health Organization (WHO) had appealed to the public to reduce exposure and transmission of diseases and infections through personal hygiene and respiratory and food safety.