Researchers Studying Whether Mouthwashes Can Reduce Viral Load, COVID-19 Transmission
In a Dec. 8 town hall meeting, Sen. Ron Johnson may have left a misleading impression in saying “standard gargle, mouthwash, has been proven to kill the coronavirus.” In the laboratory, some mouthwashes have been shown to block infectivity or suppress SARS-CoV-2, but studies involving people using mouthwash are not conclusive. Researchers are continuing to study the matter.
After mentioning vitamins D and C, and zinc, Johnson said: “By the way, standard gargle, mouthwash, has been proven to kill the coronavirus. If you get it, you may reduce viral replication. … Why not try all these things?” according to audio of the event posted by Heartland Signal, a left-leaning radio station and political news website.
“It just boggles my mind that the NIH continues to tell people, ‘Do nothing, you know, maybe take Tylenol,'” Johnson said.
While there are no cures for COVID-19,, including monoclonal antibodies that are recommended for people at high risk for severe COVID-19. Johnson’s remarks also suggest mouthwash can be used as a treatment. But there’s no evidence that it reduces the severity of disease. That’s something that would need to be researched.
