Mouthwash: Gargle Against Gonorrhea

Mouthwash: gargle against gonorrhea . Daily use of a commercially available mouthwash could be a cheap and easy way to reduce the risk of gonorrhea infection.

There are many different venereal diseases, and the numbers of gonorrhea, also known as gonorrhea, are on the increase. A commercial mouthwash brand, available in supermarkets and pharmacies, can help reduce the growth of those bacteria responsible for gonorrhea. An investigation was recently published in the journal "Sexually Transmitted Infections".

Because the use of condoms continues to decline, gonorrhea is on the rise in men in many countries, the most common are homosexual and bisexual men, the researchers said.

Increasing numbers of cases increase the risk of developing antibiotic- resistant strains of Neisseria gonnorhoeae, the bacterium responsible for the infection. A preventive measure that does not rely on the use of condoms is therefore urgently needed, according to the scientists.

Already in 1879, before the use of antibiotics, the manufacturer of Listerine claimed that mouthwash could also cure gonorrhea. But no published research has ever tested this thesis.

Tests in the laboratory

Until now. Researchers have now tested in laboratory tests and in a clinical study whether Listerine can stem the growth of Neisseria gonnorrhoeae in sexually active homosexual and bisexual men.

For the laboratory tests, various dilutions (up to 1:32) of Listerine Cool Mint and Total Care, both containing 21.6 percent alcohol , were applied to cultures of Neisseria gonnorrhoeae. For comparison, a brine solution was similarly tested on an identical set of cultures.

Quite similar was the result of the clinical trial: Listerine, diluted 1: 4, applied to the mouth and throat for 1 minute, significantly reduced the number of Neisseria gonnorrhoeae. In the saltwater solution, the effect did not occur.

The survey involved 196 homosexual and bisexual men who had previously tested positive for mouth or throat gonorrhea and were receiving treatment from May 2015 to February 2016 at a clinic for sexual health in Melbourne, Australia.

Big study in progress

The men either got Listerine or the saltwater solution for gargling. After rinsing for one minute, the percentage of viable gonorrhea in the neck of the Listerine-Gurgler was 52 percent, for the saltwater gurgles 84 percent. Five minutes after rinsing, the likelihood of being positive for gonorrhea was 80 percent lower in the Listerine gurus than in the control group.

Although the researchers admitted that the observation period was very short, and thus the duration of the Listerine effect could only be observed temporarily, the laboratory tests have proven to have a lasting effect. Currently working on a larger study to confirm the results.

Mouthwash: Gargle Against Gonorrhea