Study shows that nasal sprays reduce symptoms and duration of colds and flu
An NIHR-funded study has found that over-the-counter nasal sprays are effective at reducing the symptoms and duration of flu and colds in at-risk patients. They could also reduce antibiotic use.
Researchers recruited 13,799 adult patients from 332 GP practices including more than 1,500 participants from 26 GP surgeries here in Wessex.
Research, which analysed data from the 13,799 adults, found overall they prevented full-blown symptoms from developing and reduced the days of illness by around 20 per cent.
They also limited the number of days with severe symptoms, time off work or normal activities, and antibiotic use.
The study, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine , was led by experts from the University of Southampton, in collaboration with the University of Bristol, and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
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