Abstract: A method for treating a disease or for treating a symptom of a disease, or a combination of both, the disease being caused or aggravated by microorganisms includes: treating the disease, treating the symptom of the disease, or reducing the duration of the disease, or a combination of both by administering a barrier-forming composition in a therapeutically effective amount to a surface, the surface comprising a mammal mucosa, the mammal being infected with the disease or experiencing symptoms of the disease caused or aggravated by the microorganisms. The barrier-forming composition includes an antimicrobial. Upon administering the composition, the method includes forming a barrier coating on the surface that is active to kill or neutralize microorganisms encountered by the barrier coating. A composition with an agent active for relieving symptoms of a disease is also included.

Abstract: A method for blocking, neutralizing, or killing microorganisms that cause infectious disease in a mammal prior to or during the mammal encountering a contaminated environment or item includes: identifying a contaminated environment or item, wherein the contaminated environment or item is known or expected to be contaminated with harmful viral, fungal, or bacterial microorganisms; and administering a therapeutically effective amount of a barrier-forming composition to a mucosa of the mammal prior to or during the mammal encountering the contaminated environment or item. The barrier-forming composition provides a barrier on the mucosa that inhibits the microorganisms from contacting the mucosa. Other related methods are also included.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the barrier-forming composition includes a carbohydrate gum, a humectant, and an antimicrobial agent. The composition furthermore meets the following requirements: about 0.01%?C?about 0.4%; about 4.5%?H?about 65%; and 0.050%<A; or about 0%?C?about 0.4%; about 55%?H?about 65%; and 0.050%<A. C is the carbohydrate gum; H is the humectant; and A is the antimicrobial agent. All percentages are by weight of the total composition. In an embodiment the barrier-forming composition has an Rf value in water of 0 to about 0.25.

Abstract: A method for trapping and neutralizing or killing microorganisms on a surface includes: applying a low tack coating composition that comprises an antimicrobial agent onto an inanimate surface; in the coating, killing or neutralizing microorganisms encountered on the surface and encountered from the environment after the applying step is performed; forming a coating layer on the inanimate surface. The composition comprises a humectant and an antimicrobial, the antimicrobial including a monoquaternary ammonium compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The coating layer has antimicrobial cidal or static activity for at least about one hour. A low-tack antimicrobial composition is also included.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease or for treating a symptom of a disease, or a combination of both, the disease being caused or aggravated by microorganisms includes: treating the disease, treating the symptom of the disease, or reducing the duration of the disease, or a combination of both by administering a barrier-forming composition in a therapeutically effective amount to a surface, the surface comprising a mammal mucosa, the mammal being infected with the disease or experiencing symptoms of the disease caused or aggravated by the microorganisms. The barrier-forming composition includes an antimicrobial. Upon administering the composition, the method includes forming a barrier coating on the surface that is active to kill or neutralize microorganisms encountered by the barrier coating. A composition with an agent active for relieving symptoms of a disease is also included.

Abstract: A method for trapping and neutralizing or killing microorganisms on a surface includes: applying a low tack coating composition that comprises an antimicrobial agent onto an inanimate surface; in the coating, killing or neutralizing microorganisms encountered on the surface and encountered from the environment after the applying step is performed; forming a coating layer on the inanimate surface. The composition comprises a humectant and an antimicrobial, the antimicrobial including a monoquaternary ammonium compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The coating layer has antimicrobial cidal or static activity for at least about one hour. A low-tack antimicrobial composition is also included.

Abstract: A method for blocking, neutralizing, or killing microorganisms that cause infectious disease in a mammal prior to or during the mammal encountering a contaminated environment or item includes: identifying a contaminated environment or item, wherein the contaminated environment or item is known or expected to be contaminated with harmful viral, fungal, or bacterial microorganisms; and administering a therapeutically effective amount of a barrier-forming composition to a mucosa of the mammal prior to or during the mammal encountering the contaminated environment or item. The barrier-forming composition provides a barrier on the mucosa that inhibits the microorganisms from contacting the mucosa. Other related methods are also included.