Common Colds May Reduce COVID-19 Severity

Boston Medical Center research published on October 6, 2020, found being previously infected with a coronaviruses that cause the 'common cold' may decrease the severity of the new SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Four different endemic coronaviruses (eCoVs) are etiologic agents for the seasonal “common cold." Importantly, the patients with a previously detected eCoV had less severe COVID-19 illness.

These researchers stated: 'Our observations suggest that pre-existing immune responses against endemic human coronaviruses can mitigate disease manifestations from SARS-CoV-2 infection.'