Aspirin may help prevent COVID-19 infection, study says

Regularly taking aspirin may prevent people from being infected with coronavirus, according to a new study.

Researchers in Israel found those who took a low dose of the over-the-counter medicine on a regular basis were 29 percent 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, looked at data from 10,000 Israelis who were tested for COVID-19 between Feb. 1 and June 30.

Researchers compared patients who regularly take a low dose of aspirin to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases to those who don’t use the medication.

In addition to being less likely to contract the virus, aspirin may also help reduce the length of the illness.

Aspirin users who contracted the virus suffered shorter bouts, and were less likely to suffer long-haul symptoms.

Professor Eli Magen from the Barzilai Medical Center said this may be due to the medication’s anti-inflammatory properties.

She said more research is needed to look into 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 seems very promising,” she said.