Nasal sprays may keep colds and influenza at bay, trial suggests

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By Nilima Marshall, PA Media

Using nasal sprays at the first sign of a sore throat, cough, cold or flu could stop full-blown symptoms from developing and help speed up recovery, according to the largest trial of its kind.

Data from nearly 14,000 adults has shown over-the-counter gel and saline sprays cut the number of days spent feeling ill with sinus and chest infections, flu and cold by around 20%.

The benefits were greater for those who used the sprays around six times a day, the researchers said.

People using nasal sprays were also less likely to be prescribed antibiotics compared to those receiving the usual standard care, they added.

The team said its findings could offer a cheap and easy way to stop people from falling severely ill with respiratory infections.

Paul Little, professor in primary care research from the University of Southampton, who led the trial, said: “Given these results, our advice, particularly for those at higher risk from infections or those who get recurrent infections, is at the first sign of cough, sore throat, cold or flu-like symptoms, use a nasal spray to prevent it from developing fully, and to use the sprays preventatively after close exposure to people with infections.”