Last year, 35 million to 65 million Americans got the flu, and hundreds of thousands ended up in the hospital with respiratory problems, pneumonia, and inflammation-related heart and kidney complications.

So having a simple, over-the-counter (OTC) method for reducing the severity of symptoms and the length of time you're sick is great news for anyone who comes down with influenza.

Researchers enlisted almost 14,000 people to conduct a test of two OTC nasal sprays: Vicks First Defense, a carrageenan gel-based spray; and a saline liquid spray. The gel works by trapping and neutralizing viruses in the nasal passage. The saline reduces levels of the virus in your nose and throat.

There was also a "lifestyle" group who managed their flu by going to an online site that promoted physical activity and stress management. And there was a control group that just waited it out.

The results, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, showed that compared to the control group, the two groups using sprays reduced the length of time participants had to contend with symptoms by 20% and the number of days they were stuck at home by up to 30%.

The lifestyle group only saw a 5% reduction in those areas.

As flu season approaches, sign up for this year's vaccine, keep washing your hands frequently, enjoy chicken soup (it shortens the duration too), and use a saline or carrageenan-based nasal spray if you catch the bug.