Prevention of upper respiratory tract infections by gargling: a randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Gargling to wash the throat is commonly performed in Japan, and people believe that such hygienic routine, especially with gargle medicine, prevents upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Its effectiveness, however, has not been established by clinical trials.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial carried out in 2002-2003 winter season and analyzed in 2003 and 2004.


METHODS
Healthy volunteers (387) aged 18 to 65 years.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to water gargling, povidone-iodine gargling, and usual care (control). Subjects in the two gargling groups were requested to gargle with water or diluted povidone-iodine at least three times a day. Participants were followed for 60 days.


METHODS
The primary outcome measure was first URTI incidence. Severity of URTI symptoms among incident cases was also evaluated. Both outcomes were assessed with a self-administered symptom record. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis.


RESULTS
A total of 130 participants contracted URTIs. The incidence rate of first URTI was 0.26 episodes/30 person-days among control subjects. The rate decreased to 0.17 episodes/30 person-days in the water gargling group, and 0.24 episodes/30 person-days in the povidone-iodine gargling group. Respective incidence rate ratios against controls were 0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.41-0.99) and 0.89 (95% CI=0.60-1.33). A Cox regression (proportional hazard model) revealed the efficacy of water gargling (hazard ratio=0.60, 95% CI=0.39-0.95). Even when a URTI occurred, water gargling tended to attenuate bronchial symptoms (p=0.055).


CONCLUSIONS
Simple water gargling was effective to prevent URTIs among healthy people. This virtually cost-free modality would appreciably benefit the general population.
Satomura
Kazunari
K
Department of Public Health and International Health, Kyoto University School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan.
Kitamura
Tetsuhisa
T
Kawamura
Takashi
T
Shimbo
Takuro
T
Watanabe
Motoi
M
Kamei
Mitsuhiro
M
Takano
Yoshihisa
Y
Tamakoshi
Akiko
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D014867:Water; D011206:Povidone-Iodine