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 treating a sinus infection in a subject, wherein the infection is caused by methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and wherein said method comprises administering to a sinus of the subject an aqueous solution that comprises an active agent that consists essentially of chlorhexidine at a concentration of 0.05% or less.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to the sinuses via a nasal irrigation system, a nasal swab, or a neti pot.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the chlorhexidine is chlorhexidine gluconate.
4. The method, according to claim 2 , wherein the composition is administered to the sinuses via a nasal irrigation system.
5. The method, according to claim 2 , wherein the composition is administered to the sinuses via a nasal swab.
6. The method, according to claim 2 , wherein the composition is administered to the sinuses via a neti pot.
7. The method, according to claim 2 , used to treat a subject that has been diagnosed with a MRSA infection of the sinus prior to the administration of the chlorhexidine.