New research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Vienna indicates that saline nasal drops can shorten the duration of colds in children by an average of two days.

Children using saline nasal drops experienced cold symptoms for an average of six days, compared to eight days for those receiving usual care.

The study involved 407 children under six years old, with 150 receiving saline drops and 151 receiving standard cold treatments.

Fewer household members caught colds when children were treated with saline drops, with 46% affected compared to 61% for usual care.

The use of saline nasal drops also resulted in fewer medications needed during the illness.

Parents reported that 82% felt the nasal drops helped their child recover more quickly, and 81% expressed willingness to use them in the future.

Professor Alexander Möeller emphasized the potential global application of this simple, inexpensive intervention to reduce the health and economic burden of colds.

The specific 2.6 percent salt-water drops used in the study are not commercially available, but parents can make them at home.

Cunningham hypothesizes that saline may enhance the body's production of hypochlorous acid, which could help combat the virus if administered early in the infection.

While many colds improve within five to seven days, young children may take up to two weeks to fully recover due to their developing immunity.

Cold-like symptoms can be caused by over 200 different viruses, making effective treatment challenging.

Experts believe this simple intervention could significantly reduce the health and economic burden of colds globally.