A Common Allergy Spray Shows Promise Against COVID-19

A recent study suggests that a regular, over-the-counter allergy nasal spray might help prevent COVID-19 infections. The research, which involved 450 healthy adults, found that using the antihistamine spray azelastine three times a day reduced the number of COVID-19 cases by 67 percent compared to a placebo. However, this was a small-scale trial, so larger studies are needed to confirm these results. The trial, conducted between March 2023 and July 2024, randomly assigned participants to use either the azelastine spray or a placebo. Both groups had similar vaccination and infection histories. After about 56 days, only 2. 2 percent of those using the allergy spray contracted COVID-19, compared to 6. 7 percent of those using the placebo. This difference translates to a 67 percent reduction in infections. Interestingly, the five people who used the allergy spray and still got COVID-19 took longer to develop symptoms than those in the placebo group. They also tested positive for a shorter period, suggesting the spray might delay infections and help clear the virus faster. Additionally, participants using the allergy spray had fewer respiratory infections overall, especially those caused by rhinoviruses, which are responsible for the common cold. The study suggests that azelastine might work by providing a general antiviral effect in the nose, but the exact mechanism is still unclear. Previous research has shown that azelastine can fight various viruses, so it might offer broad protection against respiratory infections. However, more studies are needed to understand how it works and to confirm its effectiveness. While these findings are promising, it's important to remember that this was a mid-sized trial. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results and to determine if the spray is a viable option for preventing COVID-19 infections. For now, it's an interesting development, but not a definitive solution.