COVID-19 & The common Cold: A Surprising Connection
During the COVID-19 pandemic, children frequently enough experienced mild or no symptoms. Researchers at the University of Colorado investigated why, and a recent study suggests frequent childhood infections wiht the “common cold” virus (primarily rhinovirus) may offer short-term protection against the new coronavirus. This phenomenon, known as “heterologous viral interference,” reveals that respiratory viruses can impact each other’s spread.
The study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, analyzed data from over 4,100 people across 1,394 US households between May 2020 and February 2021. Results showed individuals with recent rhinovirus infections had a significantly reduced risk of contracting COVID-19 in the following weeks, particularly among children.
This interference is believed to be linked to interferon. Rhinovirus infection triggers respiratory cells to produce interferon-related genes, putting cells into an “anti-viral state.” This activates antiviral enzymes, inhibits viral protein synthesis, and alerts surrounding cells, effectively blocking viral replication.
Interestingly, children naturally exhibit higher interferon levels, even without infection, potentially explaining their milder COVID-19 symptoms. Frequent rhinovirus infections keep their respiratory tracts in a constant state of high alert, allowing for a faster immune response when exposed to the new coronavirus. Essentially, common colds may act as a “natural protective cover” for children.
However, intentionally contracting a cold to prevent COVID-19 is not recommended due to potential discomfort and complications. The protective effect of interferon is temporary. The study’s significance lies in understanding viral interactions to inform future vaccine design, epidemic prediction, and broader prevention strategies. considering these interactions could lead to more flexible and effective approaches to managing infectious diseases.
