A recent study by researchers at National Jewish Health has found that recent infections with rhinoviruses, commonly associated with the common cold, may provide temporary protection against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, the study analyzed data from the Human Epidemiology and Response to SARS-CoV-2 (HEROS) study, which tracked over 4,100 individuals across 1,394 households from May 2020 to February 2021.
The researchers discovered that individuals, particularly children, who had experienced a recent rhinovirus infection were significantly less likely to contract SARS-CoV-2 in the subsequent weeks. This protective effect is believed to be related to the body's antiviral defenses, as rhinoviruses stimulate a strong interferon response in the airways, potentially enhancing the immune system's ability to combat other viral infections.
Max Seibold, PhD, a senior author of the study, noted that the immune response triggered by a cold may give the body an early advantage against SARS-CoV-2, thus explaining why children, who tend to experience more colds, generally have fewer and less severe COVID-19 cases. The study utilized self-collected nasal swabs to test for both SARS-CoV-2 and other common respiratory viruses, while also analyzing the expression of airway genes related to antiviral defenses. Findings indicated that children exhibited a higher baseline expression of interferon-related genes compared to adults.
While this study confirms the concept of heterologous viral interference with SARS-CoV-2, researchers caution against intentionally seeking to contract a cold. The findings contribute to understanding how age-related immune differences and recent viral exposures may influence the severity of COVID-19, offering potential avenues for future prevention strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations. The research was a collaborative effort involving partners from 12 cities across the United States.