Mouthwash can kill coronavirus in 30 seconds!

Chlorhexidine, a prescription-based germicidal has the potential to kill SARS-CoV-2 virus within a minimal contact time of just 30 seconds, says study backed by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories

Hyderabad: A preliminary laboratory based study, which was supported by Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, has indicated that Chlorhexidine, a prescription-based germicidal has the potential to kill SARS-CoV-2 virus within a minimal contact time of just 30 seconds.

The study titled ‘Chlorhexidine: An effective anti-Covid mouth rinse’ was conducted by researchers from Dr HSJ Institute of Dental Sciences, Panjab University, in collaboration with CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, and was supported by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Design Innovation Centre, Panjab University.

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Chlorhexidine is a gold standard mouth rinse due to its broad spectrum bactericidal and virucidal properties. The study was aimed at providing an insight into the effectiveness of Chlorhexidine 0.2 per cent against SARS-CoV-2 through an analysis in a laboratory. It was observed that, Chlorhexidine digluconate mouth rinses in 0.2 per cent concentration kill more than 99.9 per cent of SARS-CoV-2 virus in minimal contact time of 30 seconds, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories said.

Studies have shown that SARS CoV 2 virus colonises in the oral and nasal cavities. Mouth rinses can be an effective way to reduce the colonization and possibly reduce the transmission of infection. People at large have become conscious about oral hygiene in these times of Covid-19 pandemic, scientists said.

“Our study revealed that a mouth rinse with the required concentration of Chlorhexidine killed coronavirus within 30 seconds after being exposed in a laboratory. These are the initial results from the lab studies and need to be verified through clinical studies. We are indeed grateful to Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Design Innovation Centre, Panjab University for providing support in conducting this preliminary study successfully,” said Dr. Ashish Jain from Dr HSJ Institute of Dental Sciences, the author of the study.

 

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