Second opinion on Redding Doctor's proposed COVID-19 protection
REDDING, Calif. — On Monday, a Redding doctor told us there is an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 available.
Dr. George Domb, an ear, nose, and throat doctor in Redding, says that half a teaspoon of the disinfectant povidone-iodine mixed with saline nasal spray is routinely used by ENT doctors, and sometimes dentists, before a procedure.
Dr. Domb says that it is an added layer of protection against the coronavirus, and suggests that everyone should be doing it.
However, when dealing with medical issues, it is always a good idea to get a second opinion.
Shasta County Deputy Health Officer, Dr. Michael Vovakes, says that, while the solution is effective, it may not be completely practical.
"I'm just not sure how the general public would use something like that. We have trouble with getting people to even wear a mask, and you have to spray this in your nose enough that you can taste it in the back of your throat multiple times a day, and then gargle with it," said Dr. Vovakes. "I'm just not sure how useful this would be for the general public. I can kind of see for health care workers who are around people all the time if they really wanted to protect themselves a little bit more even though it's inconvenient to do something like this."
It has previously been effective against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
"When they've used this type of product on other viruses, it's killed the virus very quickly, very dilute solutions, so it probably is effective at killing the viruses when it contacts it in those places like your nose and your throat," added Dr. Vovakes.
The use of povidone-iodine is undergoing a clinical study and is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
It should not be used if you are pregnant, have thyroid issues, and should not be used on a child under six.
