This nasal spray might be able to block coronavirus infections

[Chris Smith]

• A team from Columbia University developed a nasal spray that blocked the coronavirus from infecting cells in the nose and lungs in ferrets for a full day.
• The drug works by blocking a key chemical process that happens when the virus attempts to infect the cells, which is the only place where it can multiply.
• The scientists will have to prove the drug can offer the same protection in humans in clinical trials.

Dr. Anthony Fauci explained recently that the first coronavirus vaccines might not be able to block infections. Doctors want the drugs to prevent severe COVID-19 illness. It’s too early to tell exactly how vaccinated people will deal with COVID-19, as the research for Phase 3 trials hasn’t been published, but one possible scenario involves testing positive after vaccination. The virus might infect the nose, which is usually the first stage of infection. But by the time the virus takes hold, the body will already be trained to recognize it and neutralize it. This would prevent the virus from descending into the lower airways and multiply to such an extent that respiratory complications appear.

Scientists are also working on drugs that might block infection completely. One idea is monoclonal antibodies, which could provide a boost of neutralizing antibodies that grant the patient temporary immunity. Also in the works is a drug called ivermectin, which showed questionable efficacy in a test in India. But one of the most exciting ideas so far is a nasal spray that has the potential of giving a full day of protection against infection.

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This nasal spray might be able to block coronavirus infections originally appeared on BGR.com on Sat, 7 Nov 2020 at 10:33:34 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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