Nasal Spray vs COVID

I’ll fetch and summarize that article for you.Here’s a summary of the article:

A recent phase 2 clinical trial published in JAMA found that azelastine, an over-the-counter antihistamine nasal spray, may help reduce the risk of COVID-19 and the common cold.

Key Study Findings: The study involved 450 healthy volunteers in Germany who used either azelastine nasal spray or a placebo at least three times daily for about 56 days. People using azelastine were about three times less likely to contract COVID-19 — only 2.2% tested positive compared to 6.7% in the placebo group. Azelastine users also had shorter illness durations and were less likely to contract any virus, including the common cold.

How It May Work: Doctors theorize that azelastine interferes with viral proteins, blocks viral attachment to cells, reduces local inflammation in the upper respiratory system, and may inhibit certain histamine receptors that viruses use to access cells.

Side Effects: Potential side effects include bitter taste, nasal discomfort, nosebleeds, headache, fatigue, and dizziness.

Expert Recommendations: While doctors say azelastine shows promise, they emphasize that more research is needed and it should not replace COVID vaccination. The main challenge is compliance — using the spray three to five times daily is difficult for most people. Some experts suggest it could be useful as extra protection before high-risk events like weddings.


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