Minty Fresh Breath Could Stave Off Swine Flu
Posted by: Lily Q
Filed in:
style
5:40PM, Tuesday October 20th 2009
You need some anti-bacterial mouthwash. And don’t just use it once a day. That’s half-assing it; you should be gargling thrice daily. It’s not that you have a problem with your breath; we just want you to be healthy! According to the Center for Disease Control, frequent daily use of mouthwash containing chlorhexidine (check the back label) and similar compounds could stave off swine flu. The bacteria, after all, frequently enters through and grows inside the mouth. So shut that s**t down where it lives and get unprecedentedly fresh breath as an added bonus.
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40yrolddad
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 04:59 pm: [report]
not to split hairs but flu is by definition viral, not bacterial (if it were they’d just give you some antibiotics & it wouldn’t be newsworthy). that said, if chlorhexidine has efficacy in reducing viral infection rock the eff on! personally, I’ve Listerine’d 2x/day for 15 yrs so I’m already covered!
chicle
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 05:12 pm: [report]
I was just going to say the same thing but you beat me to it!
blackrose1o1
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 05:26 pm: [report]
Flu = VIRAL. Not Bacterial.
As a Public Health major w/ a concentration in Microbiology, I find the distinction between bacteria and viruses very important, especially in regards to treatment of various diseases like the flu.
What works to treat bacterial infections, most notably antibiotics, WILL NOT WORK on viruses, flu (and cold) included.
Nothing against you personally, I just feel very strongly on the subject and want to educate people about the differences between the two. As for Listerine, if it kills the flu virus, awesome, but it won’t be the same as killing bacteria.
Kati-Anne
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 05:35 pm: [report]
ah, you two beat me to it!
Trixie Firecracker
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 08:28 pm: [report]
Glad someone pointed out the distinction between virii and bacteria so I didn’t have to! The difference between the two is WAY more than just splitting hairs!
btw @blackrose101 - you said you are a Public Health major, are you doing Public Health as an undergraduate or graduate degree? I’m actually quite interested in applying to grad schools for the same thing. How do you like it so far?
spatula
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 07:38 am: [report]
omg *eye roll* nit-pick much? Lily, I could literally not care less if it is a freaking virus or bacteria, thanks for the very helpful tip!
Riley
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 07:47 am: [report]
Wait, I’m confused. So, what is a virus and why is it in my bacteria?
treehugr
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 08:02 am: [report]
hahaha. you all beat me to it with those comments. i’m a biologist- the flu is in no way shape or form a bacterial infection. it’s an AIRborne virus. that means your obsession with hand sanitizer and now compulsively using mouthwash will not prevent an AIRborne virus.
@spatula- you should care about the difference, because what works against viral infections will not work against bacterial ones =)
treehugr
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 08:28 am: [report]
And i’m not sure where that powerpoint guy got his info, but this isnt anywhere on the CDCs website, and it does not list chlorhexidine among the chemicals that kill the virus! *cringes* don’t spread misinformation, there’s enough of it already
retro chic
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 08:52 am: [report]
Eh, virus, bacteria – tomayto, tomahto :eyeroll:... Mouthwash has nothing on garlic get any job done. It’s amazing powers of prevention lie mainly in the fact no one wants to be near the person who ate it.
Katrina
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 08:59 am: [report]
Does it matter? Even if this gets a few more people with stinky breath to gargle because they think it will keep them healthy, at least they’ll have cleaner mouths and fresher breath. Definitely a plus.
bogart4017
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 09:57 am: [report]
also get the kind thats 11% alcohol. You can be healthy and get your buzz on at the same time.
nikkialli
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 12:33 pm: [report]
Interesting, Listerine spent thousands of dollars doing corrective advertising ordered by the FDA for saying that it would prevent colds.
blackrose1o1
wrote on October 24 2009 @ 11:26 am: [report]
@Trixie Firecracker:
I am going for my undergraduate degree, although I am planning on getting my graduate degree in it as well. I love it!