Corona-busting Nasal Spray Now Just Around the Corner

One of the main accesses of the Covid-19 virus to the human body is through the nose. For this reason, being able to block this access could help to reduce the number of cases of COVID-19.

Any invention for treating the virus responsible for Covid-19 – is to be welcomed. The fact that a relatively easy and simple nasal spray could be an effective treatment, offers a significant advance in our therapeutic armoury against this devastating disease.

The human nose filters thousands of dust particles and germs every day. Research confirms that the nose is the primary infection area especially in the early period of the infection. However, it cannot provide protection from several infections. In fact, most airborne viruses are transmitted to us via the nasal passage.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham are preparing a nasal spray that can avert corona virus infection for up to two days. The spray has been in the works since April last year and is finally reaching its final stages of development. The researchers state that the ingredients of the nasal spray are already approved for medical use. The spray’s formula will help trap the virus in a coating from which it cannot escape to proliferate. It appears to block transmission of the Covid-19 virus. Thus, anyone who uses it can exhale safely in front of another person as the virus would be inactive and harmless. 

The anti-COVID-19 nasal spray has not been named yet. It is made up of carrageen, an antiviral agent, and a solution called Gellan. Gellan, the researchers say, is a vital component of the spray as it can be sprayed into fine droplets inside the nasal cavity, where it would cover the surface evenly and then remain at the delivery spot instead of sliding out of the nose. This will allow the medication to work properly for an extended duration to block the virus.

Laboratory experiments have shown that the spray can be effective in preventing the coronavirus infection from spreading for almost 48 hours. After further experiments, the researchers have now said that the spray would need to be used four times a day for providing general protection. However, if someone is in a high-risk zone, say a crowded area, they can apply the spray every 20 minutes.

With mass vaccination drives against COVID-19 having already begun across the world, the development of this nasal spray that can block the deadly virus comes as further good news.

Nasal sprays are proven safe, inexpensive, non-invasive and easy- to- use. This anti-COVID-19 nasal spray could prove to be a game-changer in controlling the coronavirus pandemic. Because of the simplicity of the process and components involved, the spray would also be inexpensive to produce and ideally inexpensive to purchase.

Let’s now hope that it actually works and helps us to get back to normal life as soon as possible.