Zinc: a natural weapon against viruses?

By Ana Espino | Published on December 26, 2025 | 3 min read


Acute viral respiratory tract infections (AVRTIs), such as the common cold or influenza, impose a substantial burden at both individual and societal levels. They account for millions of medical consultations, widespread use of symptomatic treatments, productivity losses, and, in some cases, severe complications. Conventional management is largely symptomatic, with no true direct antiviral action, while antibiotic overuse remains a major concern.