Your nose and breathing tubes have special cells that make a natural cleaning chemical to kill viruses when you get sick.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Community contributions welcome

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Antiviral innate immune response in non-myeloid cells is augmented by chloride ions via an increase in intracellular hypochlorous acid levels

Cross-Sectional Study

In Vitro

2018 Sep 11

The study shows that cells like those in your nose and airways can make a bleach-like substance to fight off viruses when they have enough salt, which matches the claim.

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Similar Assertions

Cells in your breathing tubes make a natural cleaning chemical that kills viruses when they try to infect you.

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When you get a virus, your breathing cells need a certain chemical (chloride) to make a germ-fighting acid. If there's not enough of this chemical, your body might not fight off the virus as well.

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76%

Rinsing your nose with salt water gives your nose cells what they need to make a natural germ-fighting chemical, which helps your body fight off viruses better.

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74%

Salty water might help your body's cells fight off viruses better by boosting natural defenses, which could explain why saline treatments work in some medical trials, but more research is needed to be sure.

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70%