Evidence supporting the use of: Silver
For the health condition: Infection (viral)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Silver has been used traditionally for its antimicrobial properties for centuries, long before the advent of modern antibiotics. Historically, silver vessels were used to store water and other liquids to prevent spoilage, and silver compounds such as silver nitrate have been applied topically to prevent infection. In the context of viral infections, however, most of the traditional uses of silver relate more to bacterial rather than viral pathogens. Despite this, colloidal silver and other silver preparations have been promoted in alternative medicine circles for treating a range of infections, including viral ones. Scientifically, while silver ions are effective at disrupting bacterial cell walls and have some evidence of antiviral activity in vitro (laboratory studies), robust clinical evidence in humans supporting its use specifically for viral infections is lacking. The U.S. FDA has warned against the use of colloidal silver products, noting that they are neither safe nor effective for any disease or condition. In summary, while silver’s use for treating infections has strong historical roots and some limited laboratory evidence for antiviral activity, its use for viral infections in clinical practice is not supported by substantial scientific validation.

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Products containing Silver

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