P.getting a cold could be useful to better defend yourself from Covid. This seems to suggest a study published in the scientific journal Nature Communication, according to which T lymphocytes (white blood cells that specialize in recognizing virus-infected cells) associated with the common cold could increase protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection. But is it really so? He explains it to us Paolo Bonfanti, Professor of Infectious Diseases at theMilano-Bicocca University And UOC Director of Infectious Diseases, ASST of Monza.
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Does the cold protect against Covid?
“It has been speculated, given the similarity of some viral structures common to all Coronaviruses, that those suffering from the common cold – caused precisely by viruses belonging to the Coronavirus family – could develop cell-mediated immunity (that determined by T lymphocytes) capable of protecting against SARS-CoV-2. This hypothesis has not been confirmed. It should also be borne in mind that many experiments published in scientific journals have been conducted on patients exposed to the original variant of the virus (Wuhan strain) while infections today are caused by the Omicron variant that presents many differences with the original virus “, explains Professor Bonfanti.
At the first symptoms of a cold it is good to take a swab to understand if it is a cold or not: within how many days?
«SARS-CoV-2 causes an infection that has a broad multiformity in its clinical expression: there are completely asymptomatic people, other paucisymptomatic with upper respiratory tract infections and eventually there are individuals who develop even severe forms of pneumonia.
At this moment we are atpeak of the epidemic phase of the fourth wave and therefore all people with upper respiratory infection (rhinitis, sore throat, cough) should have a tampon, which can also be antigenic, to rule out COVID.
Regarding the timing the swab should be done immediately as its sensitivity is greater in the symptomatic phase of the disease, even for those with mild symptoms. In this way, the insulation measures currently envisaged can be triggered even more quickly », Bonfanti recommends.
The most effective way to protect yourself from Covid remains the vaccine: why is it essential to do three doses?
«In general it is important to underline that one third dose of vaccine is also foreseen for other vaccination cycles (e.g. for hepatitis B, meningococcus or Haemophilus influenzae type B). It is therefore a widespread practice in vaccinology.
In the case of COVID-19 it was then observed that the diffusion of variants, first Delta and then Omicron, reduced the effectiveness of only two doses of the vaccine, making third dose needed (also called dose booster). The booster dose is capable of restore a high level of protection against the development of severe forms which lead to hospitalization, even against the Omicron variant which is very different from the original strain of the virus, using which all the vaccines currently in use have been developed.
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