Summary
Scientists now show that whether a common cold knocks you down depends more on your immune system than on the virus itself. Rhinoviruses, which cause most colds, infect only a tiny fraction of nasal cells when defenses kick in fast. In people with strong early interferon responses, the infection stays mild. But when that response is delayed—often in inflamed airways or chronic lung disease—the virus multiplies, triggering inflammation and excess mucus that fuel severe symptoms and asthma/COPD flare-ups. Researchers hope targeting these early immune signals could help protect vulnerable people and guide future treatments.
Time
