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Statement of the Problem:
In addition to SARS-CoV-2, its variants, and more emerging viral infections to come, prophylaxis methods must be immediately available to prevent devastations that we are currently seeing throughout the world. The heterogeneous clinical phenotype following COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections varies widely, but many patients become critically ill and die. Despite laudable progress in treating respiratory viruses that has been accelerated by COVID-19, shortages of beds, equipment, drugs, human resources, and specific vaccines will still and, unfortunately, again contribute to poor patient outcomes when new viral pandemics emerge. We anticipate a need for safe, prophylactic therapeutic strategies that can prevent or blunt the initial progression of COVID-19 and future viral infections when existing improved therapies and vaccines may not provide complete, enduring, specific, and/or readily accessible protection.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation:
Herein, we propose testing prophylactic nasopharyngeal administration of type I interferon (IFN-I) for individuals at higher risk to COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections. IFN-Is (IFN-α and IFN-β) are critical components of innate immunity and the initial cytokines produced by cells during viral infection.
Conclusion & Significance:
It is reasonable to forecast that new respiratory infectious diseases will come in the future and, accordingly, developing antiviral prophylaxis strategies now would be prudent and immediately position a more favorable course of action while new specific vaccines and better therapies are being developed. Based on the COVID-19 experience, protecting first-line health care workers against a new respiratory virus would be paramount and well advised.
