[Brad Lockyer]

The Victorian state government has announced a nasal medication that can reduce COVID transmission will enter human trials later this year.

The spray uses heparin, a drug widely prescribed as a blood thinner to treat or prevent blood clots.

When someone is infected with COVID, it usually enters first through the nose, then spreads to other parts of the body if the immune response is insufficient.

By spraying the nose with heparin, the virus’ spike protein is coated in the substance and is then unable to penetrate cells and replicate. This will have the effect of reducing viral load and potential spread of the virus within the body.

If the trials prove successful, heparin spray could quickly and easily be delivered with quick pumps in high-risk COVID settings such as medical wards or in the homes of COVID contacts, to reduce illness and transmission.

Would you consider using a COVID nasal spray?

[Author]

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