Zinc Gluconate Nasal Spray for Prevention of Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Zinc gluconate nasal spray to prevent acute upper respiratory tract infection.Methods A randomized,double blind,placebo-controlled study was designed.The students in Langfang health school were randomly divided two groups,Zinc Gluconate Nasal Spray was used in one group,placebo was used in another group.The survey period was two months.The incidences of acute upper respiratory tract infection and influenza-like illness in two groups were compared by chi square testing.Results A total of 1945 students completed questionnaires(978 students in zinc gluconate group and 967 students in placebo group).The incidence of acute upper respiratory tract infection in zinc gluconate group was lower than that in placebo group(14/100 person month :20/100 person month,χ2=12,P0.01).The incidence of influenza-like illness in zinc gluconate group was lower than that in placebo group(0.2/100 person month :1.8/100 person month,χ2=12,P0.01).Conclusion Zinc gluconate nasal spray could be used to prevent acute upper respiratory tract infection.