Materials and methods for controlling infections
The subject invention provides materials methods for reducing infections in subjects. The materials methods utilize chlorhexidine, which has been found to be surprisingly non-toxic. The lack of toxicity facilitates the use of chlorhexidine in contexts that were not previously thought to be possible.
1. A method for reducing an infection at a site in a human subject, wherein said method comprises administering to the site an aqueous solution that comprises chlorhexidine at a concentration of 1% or less, and wherein the site is a respiratory tract and wherein said administration of chlorhexidine reduces the infection in the respiratory tract, and wherein the composition is administered to the respiratory tract via inhalation of vapor and/or an aerosol.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of chlorhexidine is about 0.05% or less.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chlorhexidine is chlorhexidine gluconate.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the infection is a bacterial or viral infection.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein, prior to the administration of the chlorhexidine, the subject has been diagnosed with a viral or bacterial infection.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the infection is a bacterial infection.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the infection is a viral infection.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the chlorhexidine is chlorhexidine gluconate.