What is Povidone-Iodine?
Povidone iodine (PVP) is an external drug that serves as an antiseptic, commonly used to cleanse and kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses in areas of the skin, including skin that has wounds, for example due to injury or knife slashes.
Povidone-Iodine is in the category of over-the-counter drugs that can be found easily in pharmacies without the need for a doctor’s prescription. However, pregnant women should consult a doctor first if they want to use Povidone Iodine as a mouthwash.
As an antiseptic skin, povidone iodine is available in the form of liquids, sprays, ointments, or cotton buds (swabs). In addition to the skin, povidone iodine is available in the form of vagi**nal cleansing fluid and mouthwash, which also serves as an antiseptic.
Povidone iodine works by damaging germ cells and making germs inactive.
Just like other drugs, the use of Povidone Iodine also has side effects such as allergic reactions and hypersensitivity. It’s just that this reaction rarely appears or is mild. However, some studies show no reports of side effects from the use of PVPI mouthwash for 3 months, 6 months, and 3 years with daily use.
Warning:
- The use of povidone iodine for children, should be consulted first to a doctor.
- Avoid using povidone iodine with a closed bandage.
- The use of povidone iodine more than 7 days, must obtain a doctor’s permission. Do not use this drug beyond the period of time that has been suggested by the doctor.
- Please be careful if you want to use this drug, especially when experiencing serious burns, deep enough stab wounds, impaired kidney function, thyroid hormone disorders, or having an allergy to iodine.
- A part in the form of eye drops, avoid contact between the drug and the eye.
- Notify your doctor if you are taking other medications, whether they are over-the-counter medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- In the event of an allergic reaction or overdose after using povidone iodine, contact your doctor immediately.
Povidone iodine for sore throat
Gargle using special mouthwash for 30 seconds can kill most germs, including bacteria and viruses that cause sore throats. Gargling regularly uses the Povidone iodine mouthwash can also reduce the movement of bacteria, viruses, and fungi from the mouth into the respiratory tract to the lungs.
Salt water can indeed be used as a treatment at home, but on the other hand, research on this method is still very limited. Likewise lozenges containing antibiotics. The perception of consumers who think it is just “just candy” tends to lead to excessive consumption and result in overdose.
Sore throat is an irritation, inflammation, or pain that occurs in the throat. Bacteria and viruses can be the masterminds of the onset of this condition.
When you start experiencing itching in the throat, a mouthwash containing povidone-iodine (PVP-I) can be used as an initial therapeutic step. Research proves that gargling using PVP-I substances four times a day can reduce the onset of acute respiratory infections and diseases transmitted through other saliva splashes. In addition, PVP-I is also safe and effective to prevent and relieve infections in the oral cavity.
Read also:
Best Tea for Sore Throat
Povidone iodine COVID prevention
Not only done from the outside, but COVID-19 prevention can also be done from the inside by gargling. What about the facts?
With the COVID-19 pandemic spreading since the beginning of 2020, people are taught to keep themselves clean so as not to get infected. For information, the coronavirus in the world has touched the number of 30.05 million cases and 943 thousand people have died.
To prevent contracting or being infected, one part of the body that should not miss its hygiene is the mouth. Because, the mouth is one of the pathways of the corona virus can get into the body.
A study conducted by the Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC) University of Malaya, Malaysia, showed that mouthwash containing Povidone iodine was shown to be effective at killing the SARS-Cov-2 virus in just 15 seconds.
Thank you very much for reading Povidone-Iodine: Definition, Warnings and The Uses For Sore Throat and COVID Prevention, hopefully useful.
