Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => COVID-19 => Topic started by: katieHaylor on 29/04/2020 09:52:45

Title: Is chlorhexidine effective against Covid-19?
Post by: katieHaylor on 29/04/2020 09:52:45

Warren says:

I’ve got a dental lab and usually use chlorhexidine to disinfect impressions that arrive in the lab.
My question is, is this effective against the Covid-19 virus?

What do you think?

Title: Re: Is chlorhexidine effective against Covid-19?
Post by: set fair on 29/04/2020 17:33:47

Post-surgical respiratory problems have been associated with the use of chlorhexidine products in cats.
https://www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/1996/winter/psrd.shtml

Title: Re: Is chlorhexidine effective against Covid-19?
Post by: Drmarkf on 03/05/2020 17:01:37

A lot of generally-available human mouthwashes, including some used clinically such as Corsodyl, contain chlorhexidine at various concentrations: however, I have no idea about veterinary applications!

Chlorhex works by disrupting lipid membranes, including of a variety of viruses found in the mouth such as Herpes simplex, and so one anticipates it would be active against SARS-CoV-2. However, I’m not aware of any specific studies done on it and a quick search didn’t turn anything up. This would seem to be important, so I think the original poster should ask a professional - your local Public Health medical microbiology lab would probably be a good place to start (or Chris might know...).