The risk of COVID-19 infection ‘significantly’ with simple nasal spray, the investigation finds
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A new study has discovered another way to potentially prevent COVID-19.
Researchers at the University of Saarland in Germany led a clinical trial that found that a nasal sprays could reduce the risk of coronavirus infection in two thirds.
The study of phase 2, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, was carried out from March 2023 to July 2024 at the Hospital of the University of Saarland.
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The 450 healthy adult participants were randomly assigned to receive the nasal spray of azelastina or a placebo, three times a day for 56 days.
The researchers performed fast-COV-2 fast antigen tests twice a week to diagnose the infection. People who had symptoms but received negative results from antigen tests underwent multiple PCR tests for respiratory viruses.
Nasal Azelastina spray could delay Covid-19 infection, according to new research. (Istock)
Among the 227 individuals who received the Nasal Azelastina spray, the confectionery infection rates confirmed were “significantly lower” to 2.2%, compared to 6.7% for the placebo group.
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The researchers also noticed an increase in the period before infection for people who take azelastina. In these patients, the medicine was related to a lower rate of symptomatic infections confirmed by PCR and less confirmed rhinovirus infections (the main cause of the common cold).
The researchers found that Azelastina nasal aerosol can also help prevent other respiratory viruses. (Istock)
“In this one-center trial, the Nasal Azelastina spray was associated with a reduced risk of SARS-COV-2 respiratory infections,” the researchers wrote.
Azelastina has been available as a free sale treatment for hay fever, according to a press release from the University of Saarland, and has previously been suggested that it has an antiviral effect against COVID and other respiratory viruses.
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The principal investigator of the trial, Professor Robert Bals, director of the Department of Internal Medicine of the Medical Center of the University of Saarland, commented in a statement that the trial has demonstrated the impact of Azelastine on a “real world environment.”
Azelastina led to a reduction in the number of symptomatic infections confirmed by PCR, according to the study. (Istock)
“Nasal Azelastina spray could provide additional and easy -to -accessible prophylactic to complement existing protection measures, especially for vulnerable groups, during periods of high infection rates or before traveling,” he continued.
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“Our results highlight the need for larger and more multicentric essays to continue exploring the use of nasal azelastine aerosols as a preventive treatment at request and to examine its potential effectiveness against other respiratory pathogens.”
News Digital contacted researchers to comment.
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for News Digital.