Revisión sistemática del efecto y toxicidad el dióxido de cloro en la salud de la población de latinoamérica durante la pandemia COVID-19

Abstract

In Latin America, self-medication is a common practice. During the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, considered a global health emergency that collapsed health care and management systems, the use of over-the-counter medications increased greatly as a strategy to treat signs and symptoms; among the most used products was chlorine dioxide, even though the possible toxic effects were unknown. Objective: To carry out a systematic review of the effect and toxicity of chlorine dioxide on the health of the Latin American population during the covid-19 pandemic to alert about its potential danger in the health area. Methodology: A literature review was carried out using Boolean operators in both Spanish and English in different databases such as Scielo, Elsevier, Medline, Redalyc, Google Scholar, LILACS, PubMed; the international guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews were followed. Results: Several studies demonstrate the toxicity generated by chlorine dioxide during the COVID-19 pandemic, determining Ecuador as the main Latin American country with the highest number of cases of intoxication, information correlated with international public health organizations. Conclusions. It is concluded that there is currently no scientific evidence to support the use of chlorine dioxide or derivatives to prevent or treat COVID-19.