Researchers from the Brigham detail how the spray they created may offer broad-spectrum protection from respiratory infections by COVID-19, influenza, everyday cold viruses, and pneumonia-causing bacteria A new study details how a nasal spray formulated by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, may work to protect against viral and bacterial respiratory infections. Based on their preclinical studies, the researchers say the broad-spectrum nasal spray is long-lasting, safe, and, if validated in humans, could play a key role in reducing respiratory diseases and safeguarding public health against new threats. Their results are published in the journal Advanced Materials .
The COVID pandemic showed us what respiratory pathogens can do to humanity in a very short time. That threat hasn't gone away. Not only do we have the flu to deal with seasonally, but we now have COVID, too.
" Jeffrey Karp, PhD, Distinguished Chair, Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital Influenza and COVID-19 infections cause thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of cases of severe disease every year. Milder infections cause significant discomfort, resulting in missed work or school. Vaccines against these viruses can be beneficial, but they're imperfect.
Vaccinated people still get infected and spread the infection to others. Masks are also helpful but aren't perfect, either -; they can leak, and many people wear them impr.
