The Study in a Nutshell
Conducted during an active COVID-19 wave, the study involved 200 patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Researchers tested whether a combined nasal and oropharyngeal spray containing 0.5% PVP-I and glycyrrhizic acid could reduce viral load and speed up recovery.
The patients were divided into two groups: one received the active treatment, the other a placebo. Both groups were monitored for viral shedding, symptoms, and household transmission over the course of the illness.
What Did the Results Show?
The findings were impressive:
- Faster PCR recovery: By day 10, only 1% of treated patients remained PCR-positive vs. 10% in the placebo group.
- Faster symptom resolution: The treatment group recovered from symptoms 1.3 days earlier on average.
- Rapid return of taste and smell: Treated patients regained their senses nearly twice as fast.
- Major drop in household spread: Only 4% of household contacts tested positive in the treatment group—compared to 76% in the placebo group.
Why Combine Povidone-Iodine and Glycyrrhizic Acid?
PVP-I is already a powerful antiviral, capable of inactivating SARS-CoV-2 within seconds. Glycyrrhizic acid, derived from licorice root, adds an anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting effect. Together, they not only reduce viral load but also help calm the body’s inflammatory response.
This makes the spray effective at:
- Targeting the virus at its entry point (nose and throat)
- Soothing irritated mucosal tissues
- Potentially preventing virus spread before symptoms even peak
What It Means for Households
We’ve all seen how fast COVID-19 can spread within families. This study suggests that a simple spray, used early, might dramatically reduce household transmission. That’s a big deal—especially for vulnerable family members or households with limited space for isolation.
Final Thoughts
This combination therapy may represent the future of at-home COVID-19 treatment. It’s low-cost, non-invasive, and easy to use. With further validation, it could be stocked in homes the same way we keep thermometers or hand sanitizer.
Early treatment, quicker recovery, and reduced spread—all in one bottle? That’s something worth paying attention to.
Read the full study here: Combined Nasal, Oropharyngeal Povidone Iodine Plus Glycyrrhizic Acid Sprays Reduce COVID-19 Spread and Speed Recovery
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