Will there be an anti-corona nasal spray soon? Researchers say yes - but there are also objections

Nasal spray against corona?

Sounds easy.

But researchers at the University of Birmingham want to make it come true.

Why experts still have objections.

Birmingham, UK - "Although our nose filters thousands of liters of air every day, it barely provides any protection against infection," says Liam Groover.

He is co-author of a study that now

to

have found

a

against the

.

"The spray that we have developed provides this protection against infection and can also prevent the virus from spreading from person to person," one is certain at the University of Birmingham.

The study had two advantages: from the outset, it was only based on ingredients that had already been tested and that could be used on humans.

This means that production could start quickly.

Nasal spray against corona - this is how it should work, say the researchers

"Researchers say regular application of the spray could significantly reduce # COVID19 transmission, and believe it could be particularly useful in areas such as on flights or in classrooms." @ RichardMoakes @DWLiam @ZaniaStamatakihttps: //t.co/xPonLM8uYm

- Birmingham Health Partners (@BHPComms) November 19, 2020

An important part of the spray are the cellular components of red algae, the active ingredient carrageenan.

Overall, the spray should work in two different ways: The

coats the

in the nose.

In this way, it can then be removed from the nose - for example by blowing a nose.

Transmission into the body is prevented or the viral load in the body is at least reduced.

However, this also means that the virus is encased when it is excreted.

Other people who

ingest

it via

, for example

, then also have a greater chance of not becoming infected, according to the study.

However, to be really effective, the spray must be used several times.

Then its effect should be longer-term: the protection should last for over 48 hours.

Nasal spray against corona - researchers: mass production could start "within a few weeks"

“This spray consists of already available products that are already used in

and

.

That means, with the right partners, we could start mass production within a few weeks, ”the researchers said.

For other nasal sprays, which are also based on the red alga, experts in Germany have already complained about a lack of evidence of effectiveness, such as the

writes.

It remains to be seen what the opinions of other experts on this novel nasal spray will be.

The

has not yet

passed through

a so-called

.

(kat)