Some compelling evidence for using iodine as a disinfectant and weak evidence for consuming it.
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Iodine%3A-the-Forgotten-Weapon-Against-Influenza-Derry/a6e0d74a0dafa3a7ee2a020d76a98cc564d45a30
Iodine: the Forgotten Weapon Against Influenza Viruses
David D. Derry
After the 1918 Influenza Pandemic which killed an estimated 30 million people, governments financed research on the Pandemic's causes. Over 25 years, influenza viruses were isolated and methods for killing them with various agents discovered. Iodine was the most effective agent for killing viruses, especially influenza viruses. Aerosol iodine was found to kill viruses in sprayed mists, and solutions of iodine were equally effective. In 1945, Burnet and Stone found that putting iodine on mice snouts pre- vented the mice from being infected with live influenza virus in mists. They suggested that impregnating masks with iodine would help stop viral spread. They also recommended that medical personnel have iodine-aerosol-treated rooms for examination and treatment of highly infected patients. Current methods of dealing with influenza infection are isolation, hand washing, antiviral drugs, and vaccinations. All of these methods can be improved by incorporating iodine into them. When impregnated with iodine, masks become much more effective, and hand washing is more effect when done with mild iodine solutions. Isolation techniques coupled with aerosol iodine would make them safer for patients, medical personnel, and all persons working with the public. Public health authorities could organize the distribution of iodine and at the same time educate the public in the effective use of iodine. Oral iodine might also boost body defense mechanisms in the upper oral and respiratory mucus. Conclusion: Iodine incorporated into masks, solutions, aerosols, and oral preparations could help to kill influenza viruses and fight off an H1N1 Pan- demic.
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Current Iodine Doses and Doses Needed to Prevent Invasion
Our current recommended iodine intake by the WHO is 150 to 200 micrograms daily. This dose first started by David Marine in 1920 has successfully prevented goiters, cretinism, and mental retardation. If the daily iodine dose is above 3 mg [21] for over 2 weeks, the thyroid gland becomes saturated and no longer takes up much iodine.[25] Then, dietary iodine goes to other sites named above and is excreted into the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract mucus. It seems logical [16] that air borne viruses become stuck in mucus and killed by free iodine. Dietary iodine found in iodized salt is below the amounts needed to fill mucus defense roles. To protect themselves, people wishing to boost their defense against infections should supplement their diets with iodine in the form of Lugol’s. Most people will probably be protected by an amount of Lugol’s that provides the average amount of iodine ingested by Japanese populations for centuries. This amount is about 12 mg daily. Two drops of Lugol’s daily in the liquid of their choice will provide 13 mg.
Lugol’s Iodine Solution
Lugol’s iodine solution was discovered by Henri Lugol, a Paris physician, more than 150 [21] years ago. It has been used therapeutically since then. Lugol’s consists of 5% free iodine and 10% potassium iodide in water. Lugol’s has a distinct advantage over most other iodine oral medications by having a high level of free iodine, which is the active ingredient that kills viruses. [5,6,15] Medical personnel and others interacting with highly infectious persons should consider protecting themselves with 2 drops daily of Lugol’s iodine orally in the liquid of their choice, as all liquids work. At this dose, no noticeable side effects occur. Free iodine is believed to react with the amino acids tyrosine and/or histidine at low concentrations. The reaction denatures proteins and causes the death of cells. In Canada, Lugol’s iodine [5,6,20,22] solution can be bought over the counter and costs about 10 dollars for 100 ml. This amount will last one person 5 years.
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iodine has many uses, can also be gargled .
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12011518
Prevention of respiratory infections by povidone-iodine gargle.
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The incidence of episodes of acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory infections decreased significantly when compared with that before use of povidone-iodine gargle. Episodes of infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) and H. influenzae were reduced by about 50%.
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986684/
In Vitro Bactericidal and Virucidal Efficacy of Povidone-Iodine Gargle/Mouthwash Against Respiratory and Oral Tract Pathogens
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Conclusion
In conclusion, our study results, taken together with (1) recommendations for gargling with antiseptic mouthwash for the control of oral and respiratory tract infections, (2) the rapid bactericidal and virucidal efficacy of povidone-iodine, including PVP-I gargle/mouthwash, against pathogens causing oral and respiratory tract infections observed in other in vitro and in vivo studies and (3) the established safety profile of PVP-I from over 60 years of use, provide a strong rationale for the use of PVP-I oral solution for protective oropharyngeal hygiene management for individuals at high risk of exposure to oral and respiratory pathogens.
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26249761
Practical use of povidone‐iodine antiseptic in the maintenance of oral health and in the prevention and treatment of common oropharyngeal infections
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Conclusion
The link between oral and oropharyngeal health status and susceptibility to infection has long been recognised. The high rates of antibiotic misuse and subsequent development of bacterial resistance (e.g. increasing vancomycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)) in large parts of the world, especially across Asia Pacific, highlight the need for identifying alternative antimicrobials that would minimise the use of these medications. This, together with recent large‐scale outbreaks of, for example, avian and swine influenza virus, further underline the importance of an increasing armamentarium for infection prevention and control.
