Nasal Irrigation to Reduce COVID-19 Morbidity

Augusta University239 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if using nasal irrigation, also known as nasal lavage, for 14 days after a positive test in high risk patients can reduce the severity of symptoms associated with COVID-19. Nasal lavage consists of running salt water in one nostril and out the other to get rid of germs. Nasal irrigation was done with either Betadine or baking soda to determine if adding an antimicrobial or changing the pH of the mucous helped. Hospitalization and death were compared for combined nasal irrigation groups to the CDC dataset of patients aged 50+

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if using nasal irrigation, also known as nasal lavage, can reduce the severity of symptoms associated with COVID-19. Nasal lavage consists of running salt water in one nostril and out the other to get rid of germs. Saline nasal irrigation with Betadine or baking soda will be evaluated. Participants will be asked to do several things during this study: watch a one minute video on YouTube, use a nasal irrigation device twice a day for 14 days, complete a one-time detailed survey and keep a research diary about their usage and symptoms using an on-line application called Qualtrics, agree to be texted reminders, be called on the phone if they fail to complete the daily diary two days in a row, agree to be called four times, and provide contact information for a secondary person who can be contacted if the primary participant is unavailable. Participation in this study does not involve any significant risks. However, some people may find using nasal irrigation causes them some discomfort. While there are no known benefits to participating in the study participants may see a reduction in their symptoms more quickly than if they didn't participate in the study.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

239

Conditions

Covid19

Interventions

Nasal lavageOTHER

Twice daily nasal lavage.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 55 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Capable of understanding and providing informed consent using remote consent * Willingness and physical capacity to initiate nasal irrigation and to adhere to the protocol * Willing to give additional contact phone number of another person who will know the health status of the participant and agree to be contacted if needed for follow-up * 55 years of age or older * Has access to and the willingness and ability to adhere to the technological requirement of the study i.e. able to use a smartphone for voice and text and email and access to the internet at home * English speaking * Positive rapid COVID-19 test performed the day of or the day before enrollment Exclusion Criteria: * Currently doing daily nasal irrigation * Current supplemental oxygen therapy * Unwillingness to try nasal irrigation or use nasal irrigation twice a day * Nasal surgery within the past year or chronic sinusitis * Prior COVID-19 infection or positive test \>1 day before present * Symptoms longer than 7 days prior to testing as reported to researchers * Allergy to iodine or shellfish * Participation in another prospective COVID related research project (clinical trial). * Employed and working as a healthcare worker.

Locations (1)

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Frequency

Rate of hospitalization by number of episodes of nasal irrigation out of 28 possible. To assess reduction in admission, in patients with differing nasal irrigation frequency over 14 days with an additional 14 day follow-up period.

Time frame: 28 days

Secondary Outcomes

Reduction

Reduction of severity of COVID outcomes by number of episodes of nasal irrigation out of 28 possible. Assess reduction in hospital visits, symptoms, supplemental oxygen use, ICU admission, and death in patients with differing nasal irrigation frequency. Reduction of severity of COVID outcomes by nasal irrigation with alkalination or virucidal additives. To assess reduction in admission, hospital visits, symptoms, supplemental oxygen use, ICU admission, and death in patients using alkalnization or virucidal additives to nasal irrigation over 14 days with an additional 14 day follow-up period, controlling for irrigation frequency.

Time frame: 28 days

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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