Gargling deemed ineffective measure against flu by health ministry
TOKYO —
According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, last month, the number of influenza cases in the country exceeded 110,000.
Schools and facilities for the elderly across Japan have been pushing a traditional three-pronged attack against the flu virus. First, hand washing is a no-brainer (or at least it ought to be). Also, anyone who has been to Japan has probably experienced the country’s love of surgical masks.
The third line of defense, however, is rather unique to Japan: gargling. Although gargling is embraced worldwide as a soothing massage for throats sore from overuse or illness, in Japan it has been widely regarded for generations as a preventative measure against cold or flu viruses.
Here’s a video demonstration outlining the ministry’s previous policy regarding flu prevention, presented by some Power Rangers dancing to Japanese folk music.
However, this year in a surprising move, the ministry has officially removed gargling from its flu prevention campaign. A spokesperson said that there is “no clear evidence” of gargling’s effectiveness against catching influenza type illnesses.
Hiroyuki Sakai, director of the Sakai Clinic, gave more details saying, “The [flu] virus attaches itself to the mucous lining of the respiratory tract and enters the body in about 20 minutes. This means that you’d have to gargle every 20 minutes for it to provide adequate protection, which is unrealistic.”
Old habits die hard, though, so you can expect to see gargling continuing to be promoted by individual organizations such as the Silver Bells Careport (elderly center) in Tokyo who continues to ask that everyone gargles.
Doctors also point out that while gargling doesn’t prevent flu-type illnesses it does have benefits for the mucous lining in your throat.
According to Dr Sakai, “For conditions which make it easy to get a flu infection, a dry throat is the absolute worst. Gargling provides moisture to your throat giving it a normal state. Even though the virus sticks to it, it’s easy to wash away.”
Source: FNN News
Read more stories from RocketNews24.
—Forget Surgical Masks and Fake Glasses
—Facewear, Germs and Shinjuku Zombies
—Fashion Trend or Wall of Self-Isolation? More Japanese Youth Wearing Surgical Masks to Hide Their Face
RocketNews24
Order by Time Order by Popularity
51 Comments
Login to comment
5
semperfi
Gargling -as cold prevention - is not peculiar to Japan . . . . Gargling with salt water is an old fashioned European remedy, also practised in North America. . . .................................It may not kill the bacteria but it certainly acts as a a kind of antisceptic and cleans the membrane lining to some degree
4
2020hindsights
A rare bout of sanity from the health ministry. Of course gargling is a waste of time in preventing flu!
-7
ebisen
By spitting out the infected water, you create a lot of airborne particles that have a bigger chance of infecting someone else. This is kind of a common knowledge among hospital workers...
3
FightingViking
Always worked for me ! (But then again, it could be the "mai-tais" at work...)
10
Tessa
All this stupid obsession with gargling. Why don't they try supplying soap, paper towels and HOT water in public conveniences?
4
timeon
there has been some research by a group of Japanese doctors who concluded gargling helps. However, their methods have been criticized, they repeated the study and it proved ineffective within error margins. Hence the move from the health ministry
3
tkoind2
They should amend the mask thing. A mask helps keep a sick person from spreading virus. It DOES NOT help you avoid one. The common masks used here do not filter viri. They do not protect you from getting sick. They are however helpful in reducing the amount of virus a sick person spreads when coughing and sneezing.
One more thing the health departments should add. They should combat this silly urban legend that I have heard so many Japanese talk about.
Have you heard that some people here believe that if you pass your virus or cold on to someone else it will speed your recovery? Yes, read it again, it is real. I have heard this from not one but dozens of people. Some of them quite reasonably educated.
So that jerk on the train who fails to cover his/her mouth when sneezing and coughing may well be doing so on purpose.
Finally. Stay home sick people!!! If Japanese workers and employers would give up this nonsense about Gamman and let people stay home when they are sick, it would be less likely that these outbreaks would be so wide spread. If you have a fever, chances are you are able to pass your bug to others. If just the people who know they have a fever stay home, then imagine how many others may be spared the flu or some other bug.
0
borax
About damn time. The article is right though, in that gargling will be promoted as one of the first lines of defense against the flu for a long, long time to come. It's just silly.
-3
Ayesha
I think there has been research overseas that has shown that gargling causes an increase in the incidence of throat cancer. Also logic tells us that while an antiseptic garge will kill some of the bacteria it comes into contact with in the mouth and throat, it doesn't reach others of the same bacterial in the nasal passages and sinus, which then 5 minutes later are moving into the throat and mount again.
0
gogogo
I always thought how stupid it was and never understood it
4
Nessie
A rare win for evidence over superstition.
2
House Atreides
Gargling with mouthwash (as opposed to water) will certainly reduce the amount of bacteria and viruses in your mouth and throat.
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1995 Apr;79(4):442-8.
3
Ian Duncan
Tessa 08:49
Why don't they try supplying soap, paper towels and HOT water in public conveniences?
A very astute observation. I will never understand why it is possible to afford to install infra-red sensors to detect when one has finished having a wee, or little sound effects to protect the modesty of anyone afraid of being overheard performing a bodily function in a lavatory, but the cost of a spot of soap is prohibitive.
A station near me just recently renovated its bogs at, I'm assuming, considerable expense. And somebody has evidently made a conscious decision to not install soap dispensers. So anyone using said bog now has to board public transport with filthy hands. This is why diseases get spread in this burg. The reliance on vapid ceremonies - gargling, or a film of gauze as a crucifix against the flu - takes priority over the elementary hygiene of a spot of soap and hot water.
0
smithinjapan
I remember thinking it a little bizarre the first time I was told (by the family of a friend) that I should gargle upon getting home or to the workplace in winter to avoid getting a cold or the flu. I have done it a few times, but literally only a few times in all the time I've been here because it is useless. If you have a canker sore or some kind of throat infection, gargling with prescribed medicine and/or salt water can help clean and maybe heal an infected/injured area, but gargling doesn't prevent the flu or colds one bit.
Washing one's hands? Aside from some disorder where you have to wash them every few minutes, absolutely. Masks? I believe when handled properly they can help prevent and/or prevent the spread of the common cold and the flu, but they can also be bactera/virus traps that increase chances if they are not handled correctly. Same goes if you do not wear a mask, and I never will (unless the skies become as smoggy as Beijing), but avoid sneezing all over your hands and wiping them everywhere, or touching everything everywhere and not wash your hands, you'll be okay.
0
sidesmile
Put your hand over your mouth when you sneeze or cough and trying to avoid doing it at other people worked just fine when I was a kid. Same as not going to work/school if you feel crap. I never had flu until I came to japan. Good manners n common sense are not things readily seen in Japan so its no wonder folks drop like flies in the flu season. Oh, and gargling will make you feel a bit better but is no protection against anything...quite the opposite when you do it in a communal sink.
2
Knox Harrington
It is not that difficult to understand that when you are sick, (ie you can't speak, eyes/nose running) you should stay home. Partly to not spread your germs to ither people but also for your body to rest an recover. Tokyoites however, seem completely oblivious to this fact. They put om their little mask, drink their little energy drink and do some 14 hour gaman, 6 days a week. Ridiculous.
The use of masks is especially questionable. I am always curious how this trend started. Sure doctors use them but for how long? 1-2 hours during operation? Then they discard them. Here, people put them on in the morning, wear them all day, cough in them repeatedly, take them off at lunch, put the same mask on again and finally use them on the train home. A low estimate is that the same mask is on a persons face around what? 8-10 hours. Common sense says that must be an enourmous germ fest.
-1
Wakarimasen
Will not prevent all the oyaji in the washroom at work engaging in this horrible habit.
-1
sidesmile
....and dont gargle with mouthwash on a regular basis or at all if you'll take sound advice. It will damage the mucus membrane at the back of your throat. It's purpose is washing your mouth...hence the name.
0
Meguroman
Have never gargled or worn a mask. I do wash my hands immediately from coming in from a train commute, however. Frankly, even after almost 20 yrs here I find the mask thing annoying, especially when talking to people. Love when smokers pull them down to have a fix - hilarious. I can see that hay fever sufferers might find some relief from the higher quality masks, properly worn. Flu prevention is simple, get the immunisation in the autumn, make an effort to eat, exercise and especially sleep properly and wash your hands. Doesn
t mean you wont get it but certainly lessens the likelihood and or severity.0
viking68
Kids in California popularized a "vampire cough/sneeze" where you cough/sneeze on the top of your arm. It sounds cute and is better than using your hands.
1
cl400
Well said sidesmile. People often don't cover their mouth here to cough or sneeze. I like that people wear masks but I have some students who, when sick, take them off when starting a class (even a group class) in a small little classroom.
1
japan_cynic
Welcome to the 21st century and evidence-based medicine.
0
Elbuda Mexicano
Ok, so it may not kill the flu, but those with morning breath, smokers, garlic etc...have dog breath form hell, be nice to make some new AC tv cms, comparing this stench to Godzilla on your morning commute here in Tokyo.
1
Knox Harrington
Yep, wouldn't want to take a break from sucking smoke into the lungs now, would we?
Another funny thing with the cold season here is how quickly Japanese go to the "hospital" at the slightest sign of a cold. And how the docs throw medicine to patients like it is candy. Sure, if you're in severe pain, take something for that but for an average cold, just drink water, sleep and relax a few days and most likely you'll be fine. To constantly push on can not possibly be good for any human. I know a lot of Japanese keep working when sick has to do with sick leave rules and not getting paid amd that is probably the root of the problem. Part-timers (of which there are many) are not entitled to any money at all if staying home sick. That, and an extreme case of peer-pressure makes for all these sick people "gaman"-ing.
1
viking68
Now if the Ministry will only do more to disabuse people of these kinds of myths.
The next one I want them to knock down is the one where you shouldn't shower or have a bath if you are sick. My wife still believes it even after getting a doctor to hesitantly contradict that belief.
1
Sioux Chef
Kids in California? Your elbow is what you should be coughing/sneezing into (if you don't have a tissue).
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm
2
FightingViking
@viking68
I've heard that too... Of course, if you don't dry off quickly and run around naked instead of keeping warm, I suppose it could be a "bad thing", but nobody's ever been able to stop me from showering - whatever state of "national health" I may be in...
-2
sidesmile
The avoid bathing advice does have some basis if you're running a (high) fever. They're trying to avoid people driving their temps higher and running the risk of passing out which makes sense, just like you wouldn't go for a run. I however hail from a time and place where fever-reducing treatment went as technical as a damp towel on the brow and being told to "sweat it out".
1
viking68
Sioux Chief, my mistake. My initial recollection was the armpit (obviously wrong), so I settled for the upper arm.
You have cleared it up.
A Vampire Sneeze is a Sneeze on the inside of the elbow. If you don't have a tissue.
Thanks!! I thought it was worthwhile information to repeat.
-4
SamuraiBlue
tkoind2
Nope wearing a mask is a defense against catching the flu because the flu virus is weak against humidity. The mask around the nose and mouth create a veil of humid air that had been exhaled to surpress the virus from entering into the body.
-1
Nessie
You have evidence for that, Samurai?
0
Nessie
There was an article in The Japan Times as early as two years ago that debunked the effectiveness of gargling.
0
ambrosia
Yuck! Yuck! Yuck! What good is that going to do? So you sneeze into your hands and then touch the train straps, the handrail on the escalator or stairs, door handles, etc. and spread your nasty germs and virus even further. That's terrible advice!
As has been pointed out, sneeze and cough into your sleeve, up near your elbow if possible. I can't emphasize enough how important it is NOT to sneeze or cough into your hands if your goal is not to spread your cold or flu. I see people in Japan sneezing into their hands all the time and it is utterly disgusting and completely unsanitary.
1
ambrosia
semperfi: My grandma, who was born and raised in Europe, used to make me gargle with warm salt water when I was sick but she never said it was a cure or preventative action. She said it would make my throat feel better, which it did, albeit temporarily.
1
Knox Harrington
> You have evidence for that, Samurai?
Yeah, I would also love to see that.
Masks are symptomatic of this very consensus-driven society where a completely useless trend can spread fast with the help of "people in the know". That is probably the most annoying thing about the mask abuse - people do things without questioning if it works as long as it is "endorsed" by someone famous.
-4
tmarie
Next shocking discovery will be that masks don't help????
-1
SamuraiBlue
Nessie
The major reason why the flu is regular disease in the winter here in Japan is because the humidity in the atmosphere drops with the temperature. The same reason you don't here much of catching the flu during the summer.
-2
smithinjapan
sidesmile: "Put your hand over your mouth when you sneeze or cough and trying to avoid doing it at other people worked just fine when I was a kid."
Well, yes and no. You should definitely cover your mouth with SOMETHING if you're going to sneeze or cough, but covering with your hand if/when there's no immediate means of sanitizing is going to spread things as well, even if you wipe the hand after with tissue or something. When swine-flu was in whole hog a few years back it was said the best thing to do is to cough or sneeze into your shoulder if you have nothing to sneeze into besides the hand -- messy, but less chance of spreading since you won't be pawing at things thereafter and spreading the virus/bacteria.
SamuraiBlue: True, to an extent, about the humidity, but it's also the dampness of a cold rain that can easily lead to sickness (high instances of pneumonia here as well for said reason), and the lack of central heating, forcing one to go from beside a warm little heater or kotatsu to a room or area of the house that's cold. Hell, just stepping out of a warm bath into the cold room where you don your clothes again can make one illeth. I always shave my head at home so I have to wear a toque to bed! haha. I feel like pioneer days in North America (not that I was there).
-1
SamuraiBlue
Smith
I am talking about the flu and flu only.
3
Nessie
Still waiting for a source for any of this, Samurai.
-1
SamuraiBlue
Nessie
Look it up in wiki under influenza yourself.
1
sf2k
now on to removing the masks and washing hands
1
Carcharodon
Influenza gargling a no go? Ok fair enough?
How about preventing sore throats? gargling for that still works huh? or has the placebo effect kept me from getting throat infections since I started gargling? I do not miss sore throats at all, gargling is a god send for me.
-1
badsey3
You want volatile organics like spearmint/peppermint oils, onions etc. Could be in a form of a gum. Hokkaido mint was very popular (now much mint is synthetic made). Volatile oil on a heating element in the home can work also. Cooking a soup with onions in the home.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/hokkaido-likers/-product-kitami-peppermint-oil-a-refreshing-all-hokkaido-experience/317807588317946 (need to make a Hokkaido mint gum, you do not want a aspartame gum either)
If you are the type that gets sore throats in the Winter. =Get rid of those amalgam (mercury) tooth fillings. Especially if you get sore throats upon waking. Sometimes people with allergen issues have more flare-ups with the dry air -try a low protein diet (rice instead of wheat and lots of veggies) and see if that helps.
1
Takuma7
I only gargle when i have a sore throat. Wife makes my son gargle every night.
A surgical mask is to prevent you from getting others sick because your not at home. I use them when i'm sick at home and do not want to get me son or wife sick. You must change them as soon as they get wet. If you do not want to get the flu and did not get your shot wear a respirator.
Washing hands and a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
2
Takuma7
Nope wearing a mask is a defense against catching the flu because the flu virus is weak against humidity. The mask around the nose and mouth create a veil of humid air that had been exhaled to suppress the virus from entering into the body. > Not true at all. Down here on Okinawa we're about 80 to 100% humidity year round and you get get the flu anytime here. Washing hands and a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
2
MeanRingo
The masks don't work either. Once they are moist, germs flow right through them.
2
slumdog
They go right through, over, under or around them even when they are dry.
0
Carcharodon
masks actually work for some people, but not in the way that they think: for people with tendency to always touch the nose, and lips. A mask provides a *barrier *preventing them from doing so. Touching your face with the virus on your contaminated hands is a sure fire way to expose yourself to infection. So for little kids especially, if they can actually manage to keep them on, masks can be quite useful.
0
Takuma7
You would have to wear masks on your eyes too for it to work.
1
smithinjapan
Carcharadon: " A mask provides a *barrier *preventing them from doing so. Touching your face with the virus on your contaminated hands is a sure fire way to expose yourself to infection. "
Last I checked the masks in question don't cover your entire face. What's more, if you touch a mask with hands exposed to the flu/cold you put the virus on the mask, which you carry around over your mouth and nose potentially all day, touch again and again to take on/off or shift. If you HAVE a flu/cold bug and are constantly breathing/sniffling with the mask covering your mouth and nose you are basically creating a bacteria trap, which you touch and then use your hands to spread elsewhere. Ergo, a mask can SPREAD these illnesses as much as it can prevent them, or more.
Back to top