Yonder #100: Nasal sprays, obstetric ultrasound, binge eating disorder, and emergency departments

[摘要] Nasal sprays. The mainstay of respiratorytract infection (RTI) prevention approacheshas been to either reduce the likelihoodof becoming infected (for example, viasocial distancing and face masks), orimprove individuals’ immune responses(for example, via vaccination and improvedlifestyle). However, prevention approachescan also intervene at early stages of infectionby targeting the nose and mouth as entrypoints for viruses. Given that nasal sprays areemerging as one such potential intervention,a recent study from Southampton examinedwhat the general public thought of them.1 Theyfound that various factors might influencenasal spray use including: high motivation toavoid RTIs, particularly during the COVID-19pandemic; fatalistic views about RTIs; beliefsabout alternative prevention methods; theimportance of personal recommendation;perceived complexity and familiarity ofnasal sprays; personal experiences of spraysuccess or failure; tolerable and off-puttingside effects; concerns about medicines; andthe nose as unpleasant and unhygienic.Overall, many considered it useful, and someeven a ‘game changer’.

[学科分类] 卫生学