A simple at-home remedy involving salt water could be the key to recovering from a cold or flu significantly faster, according to medical experts citing a resurfaced study. The technique, known as nasal irrigation, may flush out viruses before they cause deeper infection and activate the body's natural defences.
The Science Behind the Saline Solution
Dr Brandon Luu, an internal medicine physician based in Canada, recently highlighted the findings of a 2019 study on social media platform X. The research examined adults suffering from the common cold, comparing standard therapies like rest and over-the-counter medicines with a regimen of nasal rinsing using a saline solution.
The results were striking. Participants who used a three percent saline solution for nasal irrigation shortened their illness by an average of two days. This equated to being sick for 22 percent less time compared to those relying on standard treatments alone.
Beyond faster recovery, the nasal rinsing group used 36 percent fewer over-the-counter medications. Crucially, the study also found that virus transmission to other household members was reduced by 35 percent, offering a potential way to curb the spread of infection within homes.
Symptom Relief and a Surge in Severe Flu
The benefits extended across multiple uncomfortable symptoms. For those who rinsed their sinuses, issues like congestion, sneezing, and coughing lasted up to three fewer days. Specifically, sneezing was reduced by 1.5 days, while runny nose, cough, and hoarseness were cut by two days.
Dr Luu, who was not involved in the original study, explained the likely mechanism: "Washing viruses out of your nose and throat can help you get better faster." He noted that the rinse physically removes virus particles and that the chloride ions in salt water may boost the body's antiviral response by increasing production of hypochlorous acid, a natural antimicrobial.
This advice resurfaces as a concerning flu variant, H3N2 subclade K, drives a sharp increase in cases across the United States. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a 56 percent week-on-week rise in positive influenza tests and a 47 percent surge in hospitalisations. Compared to the same period last year, hospitalisations have doubled.
How to Perform a Safe Nasal Rinse
The study authors recommend beginning nasal irrigation as soon as cold or flu symptoms appear. For a safe and effective rinse, they advise the following method:
- Mix three teaspoons of sea salt with two cups of boiled, cooled distilled water. Avoid using tap water, as it can contain harmful microorganisms.
- Pour roughly 0.6 ounces (about 18ml) of the solution into a small bowl.
- Gently pour the solution into one nostril, allowing it to drain, and gargle with the same solution for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Repeat this process three to six times per day, reducing the frequency as symptoms improve.
With flu season typically peaking between December and February, and severe cases on the rise, such simple interventions could provide significant relief. Dr Ken Redcross, a New York internal medicine physician, urged the public to seek immediate medical care for severe symptoms like trouble breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, or a high fever that does not subside.
