Taking aspirin regularly can prevent people from becoming infected with coronavirus, according to a new study.
Researchers in Israel found that those who regularly used a low dose of over-the-counter medication were 29 percent less likely to become infected with the virus, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The study, published in the FEBS Journal of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies, looked at data from 10,000 Israelis tested for COVID-19 between February 1 and June 30.
Researchers compare patients who regularly take a low dose of aspirin to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease with those who do not use the medication.
In addition to being less likely to contract the virus, aspirin can also help reduce the duration of the disease.
Aspirin users who contracted the virus had shorter seizures, and they had fewer long-term symptoms.
Professor Eli Magen of the Barzilai Medical Center said it may be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the medication.
She said more research is needed to investigate the benefits of aspirin in fighting the virus.
“This observation of the potential beneficial effect of low doses of aspirin on COVID-19 infection is preliminary, but looks very promising,” she said.