Taking aspirin regularly can prevent people from being infected with the coronavirus, according to a new study.
Researchers in Israel found that those who took a low dose of the drug over the counter regularly were 29% less likely to become infected with the virus, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The study, which was published in the FEBS Journal of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies, analyzed data from 10,000 Israelis who were tested for COVID-19 between February 1 and June 30.
The researchers compared 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 to reduce the duration of the disease.
Aspirin users who contracted the virus experienced shorter episodes and were less likely to experience long-distance symptoms.
Professor Eli Magen, of the Barzilai Medical Center, said that this may be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the drug.
She said more research is needed to investigate the benefits of aspirin in fighting the virus.
“This observation of the possible beneficial effect of low doses of aspirin on COVID-19 infection is preliminary, but it looks very promising,” she said.