The invention provides the use of a formulation containing cyclodextrine, quercetin and zinc, at appropriate concentrations to mitigate infections by enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2, influenza and HIV/AIDS, when administered via pulmonary and dermal route. While the different forms of cyclodextrin prevent the entry of coated virus into host cells by extracting and sequestering cholesterol molecules at the virus coat and at the host cell plasma membrane, the natural plant-based ionophore quercetin in the formulation, enables cellular entry of zinc, inhibiting viral replication by altering polymerase activity in the host cell. Hence cyclodextrine, and quercetin plus zinc, either in combination or in tandem order of administration, serves both as prophylactic and therapeutic.