Can a Patient with Ebola be Cured Using Chlorine Dioxide?
China and the US military are looking at using chlorine dioxide against Ebola
Chlorine dioxide is a chemical compound that is commonly used as a disinfectant and bleach. It is made by mixing chlorine and sodium chlorite and can be found in various forms such as liquid, gas, or powder. Chlorine dioxide is highly reactive and toxic when inhaled or ingested, and can cause severe respiratory issues, eye irritation, and other health problems.
Can a patient with ebola be cured using chlorine dioxide? The short answer is no, a patient with Ebola cannot be cured using chlorine dioxide. In fact, using chlorine dioxide as a treatment for Ebola can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal.
In this article, we'll look at what chlorine dioxide is, how it's made, and what it does to biological tissue and processes. As we will see, work by Chinese researchers and the US military may be responsible for this new interest in chlorine dioxide as a possible treatment for the Ebola virus disease - a disease that kills up to 50% of its patients in the first 21 days.
We'll also examine some applications and explain why you can't use them to cure someone with Ebola. However, we will also look at some positive medical applications for chlorine dioxide and also examine how it can still play a role in the fight against Ebola, helping healthcare workers to clean surfaces.
What is Ebola?
Ebola, also known as Ebola virus disease (EVD), is a severe and often deadly illness caused by the Ebola virus. The virus is primarily found in fruit bats or monkeys, but can also be transmitted to humans and other animals through contact with an infected animal's blood or body fluids, or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of EVD typically include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising). The disease can progress quickly, leading to organ failure and death in some cases. There is no specific treatment or cure for EVD, and treatment is primarily supportive, including fluids and electrolytes, oxygen therapy, and blood transfusions.
How is Chlorine Dioxide made?
Chlorine dioxide is made by mixing chlorine and sodium chlorite together, typically in a reaction vessel. The exact method of production may vary depending on the specific form of chlorine dioxide being produced, such as liquid, gas or powder. Generally, the process involves a series of chemical reactions that convert the chlorine and sodium chlorite into chlorine dioxide. The reaction is typically conducted in a controlled environment and under specific conditions, such as temperature and pressure, to ensure the production of a pure and stable form of chlorine dioxide.
Chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant and bleach
Chlorine dioxide is a chemical compound that is commonly used as a disinfectant and bleach. It is a powerful oxidizing agent, which means it can break down and eliminate various forms of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. It is also commonly used as a bleaching agent in the paper and textile industries.
Chlorine dioxide is made by mixing chlorine and sodium chlorite together, typically in a reaction vessel. The exact method of production may vary depending on the specific form of chlorine dioxide being produced, such as liquid, gas or powder. Generally, the process involves a series of chemical reactions that convert the chlorine and sodium chlorite into chlorine dioxide. The reaction is typically conducted in a controlled environment and under specific conditions, such as temperature and pressure, to ensure the production of a pure and stable form of chlorine dioxide.
Chlorine dioxide is used in a variety of ways, from water treatment to food sanitation. It is commonly used as a disinfectant in municipal water systems, swimming pools, and spas. It is also used in the food industry to sanitize equipment and surfaces, and to preserve the freshness of food products. It is also used in the paper and textile industries as a bleaching agent.
While chlorine dioxide is highly effective as a disinfectant and bleach, it can also be dangerous if not used properly. When inhaled or ingested, chlorine dioxide can cause severe respiratory issues, eye irritation, and other health problems. It is also highly reactive and can cause explosions or fires if not handled properly. It is important to follow all safety guidelines and regulations when using chlorine dioxide to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
Why did someone in China file a patent about chlorine dioxide and Ebola?
Recently, a patent was filed in China claiming that a pure chlorine dioxide solution can be used to treat Ebola virus-infected patients. The patent claims that the solution can be administered intravenously, and that regular use of the solution can prevent cancer incidence. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims and using chlorine dioxide as a treatment for Ebola is not recommended by health experts.
It is important to note that the patent is not a proven scientific approach to treat Ebola and it is not recognized by any scientific communities, it is not confirmed by any clinical trials and it is not approved by any health organizations. Moreover, using chlorine dioxide as a treatment for Ebola could be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal.
It is essential to rely on proven medical treatments and follow the guidelines provided by health officials to protect yourself and others from the Ebola virus. Additionally, it is important to be aware of false claims and unproven treatments, and to always consult with a qualified medical professional before starting any new treatment.
The patent was filed in 2014 - you can read the whole thing here. It claims in part as follows:
The invention relates to the technical field of medical science and discloses a method for treating virus infection. The method utilizes intravenous injection of a pure chlorine dioxide solution to treat Ebola virus-infected patients and is a method for known or unknown malicious virus-infected patient treatment. The invention discloses a preparation method of the pure chlorine dioxide solution, material storage requirements, a storage method, storage conditions, and basis and a method for treating Ebola virus-infected patients by the pure chlorine dioxide solution. If the method for treating Ebola virus infection is allowed to be used in the human body and especially in subhealth people, through regular human body disinfection 1-2 times every year, the method can prevent cancer incidence.
This would be quite dangerous and is not a safe practice.
How can chlorine dioxide help in the fight against Ebola?
While it does not cure patients and is not safe to inject into humans, chlorine dioxide can be useful in cleaning surfaces.
Researchers at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center have developed and patented a novel chemical system that kills the Ebola virus on surfaces. The system is being used to sterilize medical equipment and electronic items used in the treatment of patients on the front lines of the war on Ebola in West Africa.
The technology has been transferred to a privately held company, ClorDiSys Solutions, which is manufacturing the portable "no power required" chemical compound and supplying it worldwide. The compound, called ClO2, is a portable "no power required" method of generating chlorine dioxide, which is one of the best biocides available for combating contaminants, including Category A Bioterror agents.
You can read more about this research on the US military's army website.
Chlorine dioxide and Ebola
In conclusion, using chlorine dioxide as a treatment for Ebola is not only ineffective, but it can also be dangerous and potentially fatal. It is important to rely on proven medical treatments and follow the guidelines provided by health officials to protect yourself and others from the Ebola virus. No one has ever recovered from Ebola using chlorine dioxide as a treatment. It's also not FDA-approved.
Recently, a patent filed in China claimed that a pure chlorine dioxide solution can be used to treat Ebola virus-infected patients, however, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims, and using chlorine dioxide as a treatment for Ebola is not recommended by health experts.
Additionally, it is important to be aware of false claims and unproven treatments and to always consult with a qualified medical professional before starting any new treatment.
The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center have developed and patented a chemical system that kills the Ebola virus on surfaces, however, this is a research and development and not a treatment approved by any health organization and it's not recommended to use it as a treatment for Ebola.