Safety and efficacy of plasma-activated water on prolonged viral shedding of COVID-19 patients: A randomized controlled trial

Shortening the duration of the viral shedding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical to controlling viral transmission, alleviating the burden on the healthcare system, and ultimately mitigating the impact of the pandemic. This randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of gargling with plasma-activated water (PAW) on prolonged viral shedding in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants. Sixty-two subjects, aged 18–80 years and infected with SARS-CoV-2, were recruited at two coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-designated hospitals in Shaanxi from January to March 2022. Primary outcomes included cumulative conversion rates, incidence of adverse reactions, and biosafety parameters. Results suggested that PAW gargling treatment might contribute to reducing the duration of SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variant infections and alleviating symptoms.