Saline nasal wash significantly improved symptoms in children with acute common colds or respiratory flu, and also reduced recurrences, researchers reported.

An isotonic saline nasal wash made from processed seawater thinned and reduced nasal secretions as well as relieved nasal obstruction and sore throat in a study of 401 patients aged 6-10 years. Treated children showed significantly less use of cold medications than did controls, had fewer school absences, and had fewer complications such as otitis media and sinusitis.

The treated children also showed greater improvement in overall health status and fewer recurrences of upper respiratory tract infection when they ...