Intranasal Lavage With Hypochlorous Acid Safely Reduces the Symptoms in the Ambulatory Patient With COVID-19.

Methods This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Reading Hospital (IRB 036-020) with informed consent obtained from all adult participants. Convenience sampling methodology was utilized for those who met the study criteria inclusive to all gender at ages18 years old and/or older. Excluded participants were those who expressed the desire to not use nasal lavage, women with known pregnancies, and children aged 17 years old and/or younger. The source of enrollees was generated from patients presenting to an ambulatory testing facility for nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19. Swab analysis was obtained by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction until the COVID-19 antigen specific test (Binax NOW, Abbott Lab) became available for use which allowed a more lenient process for including the Covid-19 positive patients. Each enrolled participant was given a Nasaflo Neti Pot (NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc) with instructions to irrigate each nostril once a day for ten days with the provided hypochlorous solution Vashe Wound Solution (Urgo Medical North America, LLC). Each participant began the daily 120 cc (four -ounce) nasal lavage intervention within 72 hours of their testing. Each participant was given a scripted diary log in which they recorded daily the presence or absence of clinical symptoms such as elevated temperature, fatigue, headache, chills, nausea, and anosmia by noting "yes" or "no." After completing the ten days of nasal lavage, each log was returned to the principal investigator via mail. The participants remained quarantined for the recommended time period of 14 days, and adhered to social distancing, handwashing, and donning of face masks. Throughout the study, each participant was urged to not share their devices with any other individuals. After thirty days from the start of their nasal intervention, participants were telephoned for a follow-up review.

Inclusion criteria

• All gender aged 18 years and older.
• Positive COVID-19 specific antigen test resulted within 72 hours.

Exclusion criteria

• Persons with known current pregnancy
• Persons less than or equal to 17 years of age.
• Persons currently using any intranasal medications or agents
• Persons unwilling to use nasal lavage.