A new study by Imperial College London has revealed that a cold infection may offer partial protection against Covid-19. It is stated that the findings obtained from the research may lead to the development of vaccines that can provide immunity against all variants of the Corona virus in the future.
Experts question why some people have been resistant to the Corona virus despite being exposed to the Corona virus for a long time since the beginning of the pandemic, while others are easily infected with Corona. The basis of the research is based on the theory that a type of white blood cell called T cell, which the human body produces to fight cold infection, can also provide partial protection against the Corona virus.
Ajit Lalvani, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Imperial College, told Voice of America (VOA), “Pre-infection with cold viruses, a type of Corona virus, can trigger the production of T cells. These viruses are the ones that cause Covid-19. “Distant relatives of the Corona virus. T cells developed against the common cold can attack the Corona virus that causes Covid-19. That was the theory we set out to test.”
The research began in September 2020, ahead of mass vaccination programs.
Experts examined blood samples from 52 people living in the same household as people infected with the Corona virus that causes Covid-19. Samples were collected immediately after the diagnosis of Covid-19 was confirmed.
While exactly half of the people whose blood samples were taken were infected with Covid-19, half did not become infected.
Ajit Lalvani said, “T cells previously produced in those infected with the Corona virus that causes the common cold did not get infected because they also attacked the Corona virus that causes Covid-19.”
Current Covid-19 vaccines trigger an immune response that targets the spike protein that forms the protrusions on the outer surface of the Corona virus. The spike protein, which can mutate easily, can break the immune resistance.
“However, the T cells we discovered to mediate this protection are directed against the internal proteins in the core of the virus,” said Lalvani, “The ability of these proteins to undergo changes is much lower. “Our findings provide a blueprint for producing T-cell-enhancing vaccines that can protect people against current and future variants of Covid-19.”
But vaccines that trigger T-cell production will take time to develop. On the other hand, experts who conducted the research warn that no one should rely on a cold infection to develop immunity against Covid-19.
On this subject, Lalvani said, “Corona virus is the cause of only a part of cold cases. Corona viruses cause maybe one-fifth of cold cases. Other virus types are responsible for the rest.”
The expert said, “There is no way to know whether you have caught a cold caused by the Corona virus or not. Therefore, you should have two doses of the vaccine and a booster vaccine on top of it,” he said.