

The antiseptic action is due not only to the known oxidizing and mechanical removal properties of hydrogen peroxide but also to the induction of the innate antiviral inflammatory response by overexpression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)., 7 Thus, the overall progression of the infection from the upper to the lower respiratory tract can be reduced.

The antiseptic efficacy of hydrogen peroxide 3% against SARSCoV-2 on oral and nasal mucosa can be reasonably hypothesized. 6 Based on their findings, and after reviewing the current literature concerning hydrogen peroxide, we propose that hydrogen peroxide, as an antiseptic agent, could play a pivotal role in reducing the hospitalization rate and COVID-19–related complications. The efficient inactivation of coronaviruses (eg, SARS and MERS) on inanimate surfaces using hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2 0.5% for 1 minute) was assessed by Kampf et al. This delay represents a window of therapeutic opportunity. 4 Furthermore, scientific studies have proven that the virus persists for 2 days on the mucous membranes of macaques 5 before the subsequent spread of the virus to the lower respiratory tract. 2, 3 SARSCoV-2 is spread by human-to-human transmission the infection is estimated to have an average incubation period of 6.4 days and a base reproduction number of 2.24–3.58. 1 Hydrogen peroxide is already widely used as an environmental, surgical disinfectant and as an oral disinfectant in the treatment of gingivitis.

To prevent the spread of the virus, in February 2020, the Italian government issued a recommendation, among the methods of sanitizing the environments, for the use of 0.5% hydrogen peroxide. Although prevention of person-to-person transmission is the key to limiting the pandemic, so far, little attention has been given to the events taking place immediately after the onset of the first symptoms. The virus resides in the mucous membranes and it is transmitted through the saliva and the respiratory droplets. The current pandemic appears to be characterized by human-to-human transmission it occurs through cough, sneeze, droplet inhalation, and direct contact of hands with mouth, nose, and eyes. To the Editor-The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for COVID-19, which emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
