Near thirteen months now, the world and its people have been tormented psychologically and physically by the deadly biological enemy, COVID-19. In the genesis of COVID-19, there were perceived threats such as perceived susceptibility to the deadly disease but behavioral evaluation facilitated by perceived barriers such as cost, lifestyle, sacrifices and others influenced the health behaviors of individuals. The Health Belief Model (HBM) argues that health education, diagnosis of family members, media reports and others should be adequate catalyst to move people into recommended health behaviors but the story is different due to Pandemic Fatigue. This explains why people have family members infected with COVID-19 and die but still take risky health behaviors like ignoring the COVID-19 safety protocols.
However as the adage goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way thus thankfully Rev. Emeritus Prof. Andrews Seth Ayettey (a former Provost of the College of health Sciences of the the University of Ghana) and his team have found a breakthrough for countries classified as “Third World Countries”. Such countries who do not have enough funds to produce vaccines to institute the ‘me first approach’ used by classified “first and second world countries” as described by the WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, can now rely on an effective alternative substitute. The breakthrough is the use of hydrogen peroxide as prophylaxis for immediate protection against COVID-19.
This discovery was made through a study done by the Professor and his team, titled “A Case for Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash and Gargle to Limit SARS-CoV-2 Infection”. In this observational study, the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide was ascertained when eight frontline nurses in the COVID-19 management team at a district hospital who used hydrogen peroxide tested negative for COVID-19 since May, 2020. Meanwhile, sixty-two of other nurses who did not use hydrogen peroxide had contracted the disease by the end of December 2020 according to Prof. Ayettey.
The Wonderful Hydrogen Peroxide.
Hydrogen Peroxide is a mild antiseptic solution used to prevent infections. According to CDC cited in healthline.com, this solution kills bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungi and mold spores, hence the antiseptic nature. Hydrogen Peroxide is colourless liquid at room temperature with a bitter taste.
How does Hydrogen Peroxide provide immediate protection against COVID-19?
Hydrogen Peroxide releases oxygen (air) to the mouth and nostrils when used as mouthwash and nostril rinsing respectively. It damages and inactivates the viruses, hence limiting infection and spread of COVID-19.
How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide.
What is normally seen in the market is 3%-6% Hydrogen Peroxide. It is advisable to dilute this solution with water to 0.5% if used for rinsing the nostril or 1% if used for mouth wash. For instance, if the solution is 6% and you want to dilute it to 1% for mouthwash: add 5 parts of water. This means that if you use a spoon to measure the hydrogen peroxide, use the same spoon to measure the water five times to the one spoon of the hydrogen peroxide. This dilution helps to reduce the chemical strength that may affect the mucosal lining of the mouth and the nostril but still kills the virus. It is encouraged to rinse the mouth or nostril three times a day, and there should be a positive outcome within seven days. Kindly note that after rinsing the mouth with the diluted hydrogen peroxide, don’t swallow but pour it out of your mouth, this whole process is what the science community termed as mouth gargling. Also, keep in mind that the action word here is rinse so don’t drink the solution.
How to perform nasal (nostril) rinsing(irrigation) with the diluted hydrogen peroxide solution.
1. After diluting the solution, kindly pour it into a bulb syringe, sinus rinse bottle or squeeze bottle, a normal syringe used at the hospital could be used.
2. Tilt your head forward to one side (to the nostril you want to start first) closer to a sink or a receiver to collect drained solution. This position allows free flow of the solution in and out of the nostril during the procedure.
3. Position the filled bulb syringe or sinus rinse bottle or squeeze bottle or the syringe used at the hospital (without the needle) to one of the nostril and push or squeeze the solution into your nostril.
4. Hold your breath for about one to two seconds to prevent swallowing the solution accidentally, and breath through the mouth.
5. Allow the solution to freely drain out of the nostril into the receiver or sink.
6. Blow the nostril after the procedure to clear all mucous out.
7. Repeat same to the other nostril.
Let’s adopt the use of hydrogen peroxide as mouthwash and nostril rinsing as our health habits to safeguard us against this deadly COVID-19. However, this should not be an opportune moment for drug-producing companies to hike the prices of hydrogen peroxide to the disadvantage of the poor and vulnerable. Let’s save one another. COVID-19 is real!
Credit
5. https://pubchem.ncbi.nim.nih.gov
6. Pastor Sylvester Amponsah (Nurse, Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH)).
7. Dr. Dickson Afram (Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dental Clinic, KBTH).
8. Ms. Magdelene Agyekum (Dental nurse, Dental Clinic, KBTH).
9. Dr. Zac Obeng-Hinneh (ENT Surgeon, 37 Military Hospital, Accra).
Kwasi Omaro 
Please the hydrogen peroxide is it the normal ones in the market or different type. Can it be given to a child under one year.Are we drink after rinsing with mouth or through it away.Can it be talking with or without covid?
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The normal ones in the market are also good but you have to cross-check first if it is hydrogen peroxide. Not advisable for a child under one year due to the concentration of the chemical. Moreover, the child cannot gargle or rinse the mouth or nostrils respectively. You gargle and pour it out or you use it to rinse the nostril with the help of a syringe plunger but don’t drink it. Yes, you can use it with or without COVID-19. It is good for oral care. Thanks.
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Nice and explicit informative piece.
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Good one there, so educative.
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Good one there Omaro. Stay blessed
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Thanks my boss🙏
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good work, boss
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Thanks, Ama.
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