This easy-to-use COVID-19 treatment product could be available this year

Health professionals are still struggling to find drugs to treat COVID-19. Cornell University researchers claim that within six months there could be a nasal spray that blocks COVID-19 infections and treats those who are already sick.

In a study on mice, they found a molecule that can protect against infections and alleviate the symptoms of people who are already ill. If used within 12 hours of COVID-19 exposure, the nasal spray could relieve symptoms and even stop the infection altogether.

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Photo by Mika Baumeister via Unsplash

“Very few, if any, small molecule antivirals that act prophylactically to prevent infection have been discovered,” said Hector Aguilar-Carreno, associate professor of virology at the College of Veterinary Medicine. “This is the first of its kind. One advantage is that it works early in the infection, even after someone has already contracted the virus.”

The researchers tested the spray against the original COVID-19 strain and the Delta variant and found it effective. They believe the spray would remain effective against the Omicron variant or any future strains that might emerge.

According to the study, the spray works by identifying COVID-19 molecules and preventing them from infecting patients’ cells. Scientists were able to see this in the study when the mice that were sprayed and later exposed to the virus showed no symptoms of weight loss, a sign of infection in them. By exposing the mice to the virus and then the spray, they survived the infection.

While the spray has yet to be tested on humans, researchers are hoping it will be effective and are raising funds to start human trials. They anticipate being able to begin packaging and distributing the product within six months and quickly receive emergency FDA approval.

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During the pandemic, various alternative medicines, such as ivermectin, gained prominence, increased their sales, and garnered support from a wide variety of people. The majority proved ineffective, making the discovery of this nasal spray something that could bring relief to many people and help halt the progression of the pandemic.