Tag Archives: sprays

Study Suggests Common Nasal Antihistamine Sprays Could Help Prevent Community Infections

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Nasal sprays available over-the-counter, historically noted for their safety and efficacy in treating seasonal allergies, could be perceived in a new light following clinical trial results released on Tuesday.

The antihistamine azelastine has been observed to have antiviral properties against various respiratory infections, including Influenza, RSV, and viruses responsible for COVID, according to a growing body of research.

Researchers from Saarland University Hospital in Germany conducted a study involving 450 adults, predominantly in their early 30s. One group of 227 participants used a nasal spray three times daily, while the other 223 received a placebo spray under the same regimen.

Throughout nearly two months, all participants underwent COVID rapid testing twice weekly. The results indicated that the incidence of symptomatic infections was 2.2% in the azelastine group, markedly lower than the 6.7% infection rate in the placebo group.

Furthermore, azelastine seemed to diminish the incidence of other symptomatic respiratory infections, as highlighted in a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

While researchers remain uncertain about the exact mechanism by which azelastine limits infections, they hypothesize that it may bind to the virus in the nasal mucosa.

Another possibility is that azelastine interacts with the ACE2 receptor, the primary entry point for COVID viruses into human cells, thereby preventing their attachment.

“Our findings imply that azelastine could serve as a scalable and commercially viable preventive measure against COVID, especially in high-risk scenarios such as crowded indoor events and travel,” the researchers noted.

However, the study had limitations, including that all participants were relatively young and healthy, according to the researchers.

Valz emphasized that azelastine should not replace vaccination and further research is essential before considering it as a standard precautionary measure for the public, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Dr. William Messer, associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University, found the results “rationally convincing” in terms of risk reduction, but pointed out the intensive regimen of daily sprays in the trial.

He questioned whether wearing a mask might be a simpler approach to preventing COVID infection.

“Masks can be inconvenient and bothersome, yet may be easier to adhere to than remembering to use three nasal sprays daily,” Messer remarked.

Nevertheless, he added, “I do not discourage anyone who wishes to try it.”

Other researchers are seeking more data to ascertain the effectiveness of nasal sprays in high-risk populations, such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals who require additional preventive measures.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor at UCSF Health specializing in Infectious Diseases, speculated that azelastine could serve as an additional COVID-blocking tool for individuals already using nasal sprays for seasonal allergies, although he believes the evidence is insufficient for broader recommendations.

“While the potential is promising, I believe now is not the appropriate time to recommend it as a COVID preventative,” he stated in an email. “For those over 65, I continue to advocate for vaccination as the primary defense against COVID.”

Nonetheless, Chin-Hong highlighted that the trial results underscore the importance of targeting the nasal mucosa in developing future vaccines against COVID and other respiratory viruses as a more effective means of infection prevention.

“Current COVID vaccines have not proven to be highly effective in preventing infection,” he remarked. “There is a need for more mucosal vaccines for respiratory viruses. While flu vaccines are widely used, ongoing efforts are being made to create mucosal vaccines for coronaviruses, necessitating continued advocacy for federal support and prioritization for these initiatives.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Saline nasal drops and sprays showing promise in treating the common cold

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Saline nasal sprays may stop children's sneezing faster

ONFOKUS.COM, Sebastian Court/Getty Images

Saline nasal sprays appear to help speed up cold recovery: In a new study, children who were given the homemade nasal spray recovered from cold symptoms like sneezing and stuffy nose two days faster than those who weren't.

More than 200 different viruses can cause cold-like symptomsTherefore, it is difficult to develop general and effective treatments that target them. As a result, most cold therapies only relieve symptoms but do not shorten the duration of symptoms.

But research increasingly suggests that saline may be the exception. Studies have shown that adults who use saline nasal drops or sprays to relieve cold symptoms: Reduces symptoms and speeds recovery and Less likely to spread infection.

now, Steve Cunningham Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in the UK tested this method on children. They asked the parents of 150 children with cold symptoms to place three drops of saline solution into their children's nasal passages at least four times a day within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, until symptoms subsided. The water-based solution that the parents mixed themselves contained 2.6 percent salt.

Another group of 151 children received standard cold care from their parents, such as prescribing over-the-counter medicines and encouraging rest. All of the children were under the age of seven, and their symptoms were recorded by their parents.

The researchers found that children who started using the drops within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms recovered two days faster than those who never used the drops, and their families were also less likely to develop cold symptoms. But children who started using the drops later didn't get better and were less likely to spread the cold than those who never used the drops.

Cunningham, who will present his findings at the European Respiratory Society meeting in Vienna, Austria, on September 8, says that the chloride ions in saline could prompt cells to produce an antiviral substance called hypochlorous acid, though this may need to be started early in infection, before the virus can take hold, he says.

but William Shaffner Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee are skeptical that this method will actually help cure viral infections. [evidence] They want me to believe that this is an antiviral effect, not just symptom relief,” he says.

Schaffner says the researchers could have also given another group of children regular water drops or a low-concentration saline solution, which would show whether the saline nasal spray targets the virus and speeds recovery or simply keeps mucous membranes moist to ease symptoms, he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

An unexpected meeting: Gray seal sprays water at white-tailed eagle

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This interaction sheds new light on the dynamics between. gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) and White-tailed eagle (Harrietus albicilla)says British birdwatcher Claire Jacobs.

Claire Jacobs captured a rare moment with a gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) Spray water at a swooping white-tailed eagle (Harrietus albicilla) on the Isle of Wight. Image credit: Claire Jacobs.

Claire Jacobs witnessed a white-tailed eagle swoop toward the surface at high tide.

As the eagle approached, an adult gray seal emerged from the water directly beneath the predator.

This unusual event occurred in the waters of the Newtown Estuary of the Newtown River called Cramerkin Brook or Cramerkin Lake.

The encounter was caught on camera, with the gray seal initially emitting a warning call, but then resorting to an unprecedented defensive tactic: spitting a stream of water directly at the eagle.

“I always enjoy photographing eagles,” Claire Jacobs said.

“However, my year was enriched by being able to capture such rare and never-before-seen interactions.”

“Sightings of gray seals and white-tailed eagles are now common on the Isle of Wight, but interaction between these two species has so far not been reported,” said Megan Jacobs, daughter of Claire Jacobs and a palaeontologist at the University of Portsmouth. says Mr. .

“This is the first record of an interaction between these two top predators, and the first report of a gray seal using spit as a means of defense or deterrence against an airborne enemy.”

“White-tailed eagles directly compete for fish stocks, so spitting may be a strategy to eliminate them from competition for prey.”

The white-tailed eagle, also known as the Steller's sea eagle, is the largest species of European eagle.

Their wingspan can reach up to 2.6 meters, but is usually smaller, with males measuring about 2.26 meters and females about 2.37 meters.

White-tailed eagles went extinct on the Isle of Wight in 1780, but a bold reintroduction program began introducing young white-tailed eagles from breeding pairs in Scotland in the summer of 2019.

“Spitting is a rare behavioral activity among vertebrates, which is why this event is so fascinating,” said Megan Jacobs.

“This challenges our existing understanding of animal defense mechanisms.”

“Spits are commonly found in humans, camels, llamas, and alpacas, but are also used in some snakes to deliver venom, and may also be used to capture prey by archers, so there is no photographic evidence I'm excited to have gotten this fish. “

This unusual event is described in the following paper: Journal of the Isle of Wight Natural History and Archeology Society.

Source: www.sci.news