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Common cold 'prefers cold noses' | Common cold 'prefers cold noses' |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The virus behind the common cold is much happier in a cold nose, US researchers suggest. | The virus behind the common cold is much happier in a cold nose, US researchers suggest. |
Their study showed the human immune system was weaker in cooler temperatures, allowing the virus to thrive. | |
The researchers suggested keeping your nose warm and avoiding cold air while infected. | The researchers suggested keeping your nose warm and avoiding cold air while infected. |
The findings were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, | The findings were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, |
Rhinoviruses are one of the main groups of virus that leaves our noses streaming and us sneezing. | Rhinoviruses are one of the main groups of virus that leaves our noses streaming and us sneezing. |
The team at Yale University tested rhinoviruses at a nose temperature of 33C, and a normal body temperature of 37C. | The team at Yale University tested rhinoviruses at a nose temperature of 33C, and a normal body temperature of 37C. |
"We've known for 50 years that it replicated better in the nose, but the mechanism has never been clearly defined," researcher Dr Akiko Iwasaki told the BBC. | "We've known for 50 years that it replicated better in the nose, but the mechanism has never been clearly defined," researcher Dr Akiko Iwasaki told the BBC. |
She said the immune system became weaker in a cold nose and gave the virus more opportunities to replicate. | She said the immune system became weaker in a cold nose and gave the virus more opportunities to replicate. |
Two important tools - a set of sensors that detect infection and chemicals that co-ordinate the immune response - were less effective at cooler temperatures. | Two important tools - a set of sensors that detect infection and chemicals that co-ordinate the immune response - were less effective at cooler temperatures. |
Dr Iwasaki said: "In general, the lower the temperature, it seems the lower the innate immune response to viruses." | Dr Iwasaki said: "In general, the lower the temperature, it seems the lower the innate immune response to viruses." |
She said her findings could help explain why the common cold is more common in the cold months of winter. | She said her findings could help explain why the common cold is more common in the cold months of winter. |
But cautioned that it was "much more complicated". | But cautioned that it was "much more complicated". |
Other factors including different human behaviour in winter compared with summer have also been implicated in winter colds. | Other factors including different human behaviour in winter compared with summer have also been implicated in winter colds. |
However, Dr Iwasaki did suggest some ways of fighting a cold: "You can always stay in warm tropical weather or try to prevent the nasal cavity experiencing very cold air." | However, Dr Iwasaki did suggest some ways of fighting a cold: "You can always stay in warm tropical weather or try to prevent the nasal cavity experiencing very cold air." |
Jonathan Ball, a professor of virology the University of Nottingham, said the findings could explain why rhinoviruses infect the nose rather than warmer parts of the body like the lungs. | Jonathan Ball, a professor of virology the University of Nottingham, said the findings could explain why rhinoviruses infect the nose rather than warmer parts of the body like the lungs. |
He told the BBC: "We know the temperature of the cells lining the nose are cooler than other less exposed parts of the body. | He told the BBC: "We know the temperature of the cells lining the nose are cooler than other less exposed parts of the body. |
"This could explain why the rhinovirus causes colds and is less able to cause more serious lung infections, like influenza does." | "This could explain why the rhinovirus causes colds and is less able to cause more serious lung infections, like influenza does." |
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