COVID infection can protect against common cold? Know what the new study found – The Times of India

The findings of a new study has shed light on COVID research which probably was not discovered before. After observing COVID-19 PCR tests from more than 4,900 people, researchers have found that people previously infected with COVID-19 had about a 50% lower chance of having a symptomatic coronavirus-caused common cold compared with people who were, at the time, fully vaccinated and hadn't yet gotten COVID. We think theres going to be a future outbreak of a coronavirus, said Dr. Manish Sagar, senior author of the study published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Vaccines potentially could be improved if we could replicate some of the immune responses that are provided by natural infection. Researchers linked the protection against coronavirus-caused colds to virus-killing cell responses for two specific viral proteins. These proteins arent used in most vaccines now, but researchers propose adding them in the future. Coronaviruses are thought to be responsible for about 1 in 5 coldsCoronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to severe respiratory diseases. Several types of coronaviruses, such as HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-HKU1, are known to cause mild respiratory infections, including the common cold. Symptoms typically include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and sometimes fever. These coronaviruses spread through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected individuals. While they generally cause mild symptoms, certain populations, like the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness. Preventative measures include good hygiene practices and avoiding close contact with infected individuals. How is a coronavirus-caused common cold different from rhinovirus common cold? Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like MERS and SARS. Common cold coronaviruses include HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-HKU1. Symptoms typically include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever. These viruses can sometimes lead to more severe respiratory illnesses, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of the common cold, responsible for up to 50% of cases. They primarily infect the nose and throat, causing symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and mild cough. Rhinovirus infections are generally mild and rarely lead to serious complications, though they can exacerbate asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions.

Coronaviruses can potentially cause more severe respiratory illnesses compared to rhinoviruses, particularly in vulnerable groups. Rhinovirus infections are more common in the fall and spring, whereas coronaviruses can be more prevalent in winter. Both are highly contagious, but coronaviruses can spread more easily in some cases, leading to larger outbreaks.

Read the rest here:

COVID infection can protect against common cold? Know what the new study found - The Times of India