Common Cold vs. COVID: Unexpected Benefits
- new research suggests that recent exposure to common respiratory viruses, like the common cold, can boost the immune system's defenses against SARS-CoV-2, potentially explaining why children frequently enough...
- A study conducted by researchers at National Jewish Health, published on July 29, 2024, indicates that prior infections with other respiratory viruses can create a state of "heterologous...
- "We found that the immune system seems to be more prepared to fight off SARS-CoV-2 if it's already encountered another respiratory virus, like rhinovirus, even just a few...
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Prior Colds May Offer Protection Against COVID-19, Especially in Children
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new research suggests that recent exposure to common respiratory viruses, like the common cold, can boost the immune system’s defenses against SARS-CoV-2, potentially explaining why children frequently enough experience milder COVID-19 cases.
A study conducted by researchers at National Jewish Health, published on July 29, 2024, indicates that prior infections with other respiratory viruses can create a state of “heterologous viral interference,” effectively priming the immune system to respond more effectively to SARS-CoV-2. This means that having a cold *before* contracting COVID-19 might lessen the severity of the illness.
“We found that the immune system seems to be more prepared to fight off SARS-CoV-2 if it’s already encountered another respiratory virus, like rhinovirus, even just a few days before,” explained senior author Max Seibold, PhD, Director of the Regenerative medicine and Genome editing Program (REGEN) at National Jewish Health. “This may help explain why children, who tend to get more colds than adults, generally experience fewer and less severe COVID cases.”
How the Study Was Conducted
The research team analyzed data from thousands of self-collected nasal swabs, testing for both SARS-CoV-2 and other common respiratory viruses, including rhinovirus, across a diverse group of participants of all ages. They also examined airway gene expression to understand how recent viral infections impacted the body’s antiviral defenses.
the study revealed that children exhibited higher baseline expression of interferon-related genes – proteins crucial for the immune system’s initial defense against viruses – compared to adults. This suggests a more readily activated antiviral state in children.
Heterologous Interference: A Known phenomenon
while heterologous viral interference has been previously observed with other respiratory viruses, this study is the first prospective inquiry to demonstrate its potential impact on SARS-CoV-2 infection. A 2021 study in Nature detailed how prior influenza infection could reduce the severity of subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection, supporting the concept of viral interference.
Crucial Caveats and Future Research
“this doesn’t mean people should intentionally try to catch a cold,” cautioned Camille Moore, PhD, lead author of the study at National Jewish Health. “But understanding how one virus can affect the body’s response to another could help us develop new prevention strategies, especially for vulnerable populations.”
The research builds upon earlier findings from the HEROS study, which showed that children are approximately six times less likely than adults to develop symptomatic COVID-19. Imperial College London’s HEROS study, published in February 2023, provided initial evidence of this age-related difference in susceptibility.
Researchers from National Jewish Health collaborated with partners from 1