Enhancement of Innate Immunity to COVID-19 with Natural Measures

The strength of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the fact that it is a novel virus to humans. Being a neoteric virus yields a significant advantage as the person infected possess no immunity to the pathogen. The most significant protection against a new viral infection is the ancient innate immune system. When the virus invades our cells, receptors in the cytoplasm recognize the foreign intruder and induce innate immune responses to block replication of the virus. A robust response is critical as it takes three to five days to generate the beginnings of an adaptive immune response. The front line innate immune response is often powerful enough to eliminate the virus before the development of more severe late-phase infection, which relies on acquired immunity for resolution. A recent scientific discovery demonstrates a natural, safe, and accessible self-administered procedure that enhances our innate immunity. Non-myeloid epithelial cells are capable of producing the viricidal substance hypochlorous acid (HOCL). The amount of HOCL generated is dependent on the concentration of intracellular chloride that is available. In vitro, saline exposure of epithelial cells infected with coronavirus significantly reduced viral replication. In vivo, hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargle (HSNIG) in patients who had upper respiratory infections (URI) caused by coronavirus significantly reduced the duration and severity of the URI compared to similarly infected patients treated with the standard of care. HSNIG can suppress viral replication of COVID-19 mitigating the spread during the asymptomatic phase and reducing the risk of an asymptomatic or symptomatic case progressing to a severe infection.