A new study found out other ways on how to combat COVID-19 and mitigate or reduce its symptoms while waiting for the vaccine.

COVID-19 Study
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More scientific researches are now being published about the new coronavirus. The global pandemic has lived with us for more than half a year already. At this time, the number of COVID-19 cases has already reached more than 16. 4 million with a death toll of more than 650,000, according to the tally of Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. 

While waiting for the vaccine, different researches coming from the different groups are being published. This time, researchers explored different ways or other strategies on how to combat COVID-19 and mitigate its symptoms at an early stage. 

One of the recent studies released suggests that nasal irrigation or the practice of clearing the nasal passages through the use of spray bottle or neti pot to introduce a therapeutic solution, according to a published article in Best Life.

The team of researchers recently studied the effects of nasal irrigation and they found out that its effet towards COVID-19. They said that this is an at-home practice that could help lessen a person's viral load or symptoms.

The study concludes in their paper, "Nasal irrigations should be encouraged for patients and health care workers especially," Additionally, the researchers added that nasal irrigation can potentially help reduce viral severity and further transmission of the virus.

The researchers added that this can be applied during the early stage of infection and after a patient becomes infected. They explain, "similar to other viral upper respiratory infections, [coronavirus] infection occurs primarily in the nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa with high viral loads early in the disease."

Moreover, the researchers of the study also noted that the benefit of tropical nasal saline has been well established. They also explained that the nasal lining serves a very important role to defend and protect oneself against the inhaled viruses and bacteria. 

In general, nasal irrigation helps improve immunity and at the same time, it increases hydration. It also reduces inflammation and doing this can lessen the effect of respiratory infection. The symptoms of the new coronavirus can be reduced using this strategy.

Those who want to have this at-home practice can choose over-the-counter hypertonic saline spray which can be found in most pharmacies. The researchers also noted that betadine and other iodine-derivative sprays also appear to support substantial COVID-19 reduction.

While waiting for the cure or the vaccine, this at-home treatment will help anyone limit the severity of the symptoms or illness and at the same time reduce the time spent being sick.  

Until now, the potential vaccines that are hoped to end this global pandemic are still in their different human clinical trials. Also, there is no guarantee if these vaccines are safe and effective. 

Other pharmaceutical companies promised that they will produce millions of doses before the year ends while others committed to have the vaccine as early as next year. 

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