Key TakeawaysOTC nasal sprays, such as saline and gel-based options, may reduce the duration of upper respiratory infections and lower the need for antibiotics, a new study shows.In the study of nearly 14,000 adults, those using nasal sprays recovered faster and missed fewer workdays compared to those who didn’t use the sprays.More research is needed before nasal sprays can be officially recommended as a standard treatment for upper respiratory infections.

Key Takeaways

OTC nasal sprays, such as saline and gel-based options, may reduce the duration of upper respiratory infections and lower the need for antibiotics, a new study shows.In the study of nearly 14,000 adults, those using nasal sprays recovered faster and missed fewer workdays compared to those who didn’t use the sprays.More research is needed before nasal sprays can be officially recommended as a standard treatment for upper respiratory infections.

New research suggests over-the-counter (OTC) nasal sprays may help reduce the overuse of antibiotics forupper respiratory infections.

For the study, the researchers divided participants at risk for respiratory infections into one of three groups. One group used Vicks First Defence gel-based nasal spray, which traps and neutralizes viruses in the nose. The second group used a saline nasal spray designed to help reduce viral levels behind the nose. The third group was given an online resource that encouraged physical activity and promoted stress management.

Antibiotics for Upper Respiratory Infections

This study focused on people who are more likely to experience complications from infections. Due to their health history, they “commonly still get antibiotics for most uncomplicated respiratory infections,” said lead study authorPaul Little, MBBS, professor of Primary Care Research at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.

“We hypothesized that if people had something that worked for managing their illnesses their symptoms, they would be less likely to ask for and use antibiotics,” Little said.

Antibiotic alternatives can help improve people’s symptoms while saving them money, but also lower the risk ofantibiotic resistanceand other health issues that can arise from overuse, according toMichael Yong, MD, an otolaryngologist and neurorhinologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA.

“[Most] upper respiratory tract infections are viral in nature,” Yong said. “They don’t need an antibiotic to take care of it.”

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Will Nasal Sprays Become the Standard Treatment for Upper Respiratory Infections?

Currently, there’s no official guideline that recommends using a nasal spray to speed up healing from an upper respiratory infection.

“I don’t think we are there yet. This study needs to be repeated,” saidAlfred F. Tallia, MD, MPH, professor and chair of family medicine and community health at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Although there’s no official recommendation, there’s a “relative lack of harm” in using nasal sprays, Tallia added.

It’s a good idea to start with a saline spray when you’re sick, which many doctors recommend anyway,Stokes Peebles, MD, a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told Verywell. “It will be cheaper, and there are no potential side effects.”

However, Peebles said he’s “not overwhelmed” with the new study’s findings. “The difference between six and a half and eight days of an illness, when symptoms already tend to be more mild, is not much,” he added.

Barbara Bawer, MD, a family medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Verywell that more studies are needed, “especially to understand risk reduction with consistent use of the spray, since this study did mention most people did not use it six times per day as asked.”

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When to See a Doctor for an Upper Respiratory Infection

While using a nasal spray may speed up healing when you have an upper respiratory infection, there are clear signs of when you should seek medical care.

“If your symptoms are not getting better and you have persistent fever, or you have underlying conditions like asthma or immunosuppression, it’s a good idea to seek a professional assessment,” Tallia said.

Little said that it’s “never very clear-cut” when people may need antibiotics, but recommends calling a doctor if you symptoms are getting worse or have lasted 10 or more days.

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What This Means For YouIf you’re prone to developing upper respiratory infections, talk to your doctor about an effective prevention strategy for you. It may include using a saline rinse or gel-based spray, but it’s best to consult with a medical professional first.

What This Means For You

If you’re prone to developing upper respiratory infections, talk to your doctor about an effective prevention strategy for you. It may include using a saline rinse or gel-based spray, but it’s best to consult with a medical professional first.

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