According to recent research published in Cell Press Blue, both cold air and pollution can affect how the body responds when it encounters a cold virus.
The study suggests that cold air in the nose can slow the body’s early defenses, giving the virus more time to gain a foothold.
At the same time, smoke and air pollution can weaken the natural protection of the mucous membranes.
As a result, the body may later react more strongly and less effectively when exposed to a virus.
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The body’s first response
A central element of the study is the body’s immune response.
When a virus enters the body, it quickly attempts to stop it using signaling molecules known as interferons.
If this response occurs early, the infection can be halted before symptoms appear.
If the response is delayed or weakened, the virus can spread within the cells of the nose.
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This leads to inflammation, increased mucus production, and the symptoms commonly associated with a cold.
The study also indicates that people who have recently had another viral infection may, in some cases, be better prepared to fend off a new one.
The explanation lies in the nose
The research was conducted by a team from Yale School of Medicine, which examined human nasal tissue in a laboratory setting.
The tissue was exposed to rhinovirus in order to understand what happens at the very earliest stage of infection.
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Senior researcher Ellen Foxman told The Wall Street Journal:
"This study offers a more detailed picture of what’s going on during common cold infections than we ever had".
Sources: Powers Health, Cell Press Blue, and The Wall Street Journal.
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