A Shocking Discovery About the Common Cold

While a common cold might seem like just an annoying inconvenience, new research reveals a silver lining: it may actually provide temporary protection against COVID-19.

How Rhinoviruses Fight Back

Researchers have uncovered that individuals, particularly children, who have recently battled a rhinovirus—the main cause of colds—are significantly less likely to contract SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, in the following weeks. This finding could explain why children experience milder COVID symptoms compared to adults.

An Early Immune Advantage?

Max Seibold, the Director of the Regenerative Medicine and Genome Editing Program (REGEN) at National Jewish Health, stated, "Our findings suggest that a recent cold offers an early immune boost that helps the body fend off SARS-CoV-2 before it can establish an infection." He emphasized how this might account for the lower incidence and severity of COVID-19 in children.

A Comprehensive Study

Seibold and his team published their findings in The Journal of Infectious Diseases earlier this month. They analyzed data from over 4,100 individuals across nearly 1,400 households, tracking respiratory infections from May 2020 to February 2021. Participants self-collected nasal swabs to identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.

The Science Behind the Immunity Boost

Rhinoviruses activate interferons—natural immune agents—in our airways. This response equips the immune system to battle incoming viruses more effectively. Additionally, the researchers noted that children exhibited higher baseline levels of genes related to interferons compared to adults, enhancing their antiviral defenses.

Implications for Future Research

The study highlights a phenomenon called heterologous viral interference. While this has been seen with other respiratory viruses, this is the first evidence linking it with SARS-CoV-2. Lead author Camille Moore, a biostatistician at National Jewish Health, emphasized that understanding how one virus can influence the body's response to another might pave the way for novel preventative measures, particularly for at-risk groups.

A Cautionary Note

However, Moore cautions against the notion of deliberately trying to catch a cold, reinforcing that this research should not encourage reckless behavior. It's important to maintain awareness and health while exploring these intriguing findings.