Common Cold News and Research

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A parent's guide to manage pediatric respiratory illnesses during the virus season

As we head deeper into fall and toward the holiday season, your little one may start to exhibit symptoms like a runny nose, cough, or fever.

24 Oct 2025

Study shows c-Kit–expressing sweet cells are central to taste bud regeneration after nerve injury

Taste is one of our most vital senses, shaping appetite, nutrition, and quality of life. Yet taste buds are fragile, relying heavily on the nerves that connect them to the brain.

6 Oct 2025

Common cold may offer temporary protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection

A new study led by researchers at National Jewish Health has found that recent infection with the common cold - often caused by rhinoviruses - may offer temporary protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

25 Aug 2025

Study: Lignin shows strong antiviral and antibacterial properties

Research from the Nanoscience Center of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, has revealed that lignin, a polyphenol, important for plant structure, has antimicrobial activity against viruses and bacteria.

12 Aug 2025

New research pipeline fuels the development of universal vaccines

Most vaccines are designed to provide immunity against just one pathogen. Vaccines for chicken pox (caused by varicella-zoster virus) were only developed to fight that one disease, for example.

7 Aug 2025

Does soup really work when you’re down with cold or flu?

A systematic review found that chicken-based and vegetable-enriched soups may modestly reduce the severity and duration of acute respiratory tract infections. However, stronger evidence is needed before soup can be recommended as a clinical treatment.

10 Jul 2025

WHO releases first-ever position paper on immunization products to protect infants against RSV

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) published its first-ever position paper on immunization products to protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections in children globally.

30 May 2025

New antiviral compounds show broad protection against COVID-19 variants

Novel Mpro inhibitors exhibit broad activity against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses.

30 Apr 2025

New vaccine targets sugar shield to protect against multiple coronaviruses

Sugar coatings aren't only for candies; they also help viruses, like the ones that cause COVID-19, hide from their hosts' immune system.

23 Apr 2025

Researchers develop drug cocktail to target enteroviruses

Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that cause everything from the common cold to meningitis, polio, type 1 diabetes, and much more. Over 100 different types have been described by researchers, and millions of people are infected each year.

15 Apr 2025

Scientists develop universal vaccine targeting multiple coronaviruses

Sugar coatings aren't only for candies; they also help viruses, like the ones that cause COVID-19, hide from their hosts' immune system.

25 Mar 2025

Night shifts and sleep debt linked to higher infection risk in nurses

Researchers determine how sleep duration, sleep debt, and shift work impact the risk of infections among Norwegian nurses.

13 Mar 2025

Shift work and sleep debt increase infection risk in nurses

A new study examining the effects of sleep patterns and shift work on the immune system has found that sleep debt and night shifts increase the risk of several common infections in nurses.

10 Mar 2025

New antibody pair could defeat all SARS-CoV-2 variants

A Stanford-led team has found two antibodies that can work together to defeat all SARS-CoV-2 variants. More research is needed, but the approach could help in the development of treatments to keep pace with evolving viruses.

6 Mar 2025

Smartwatches could be a powerful tool to prevent future pandemics

Everyday smartwatches are extremely accurate in detecting viral infection long before symptoms appear - now, research shows how they could help stop a pandemic before it even begins.

4 Mar 2025

Study investigates ambiguities in ICD coding for respiratory infections

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system standardizes diagnostic codes globally, enabling accurate comparisons of health data. This study investigated regional differences in respiratory infection diagnoses in Poland to identify potential ambiguities in ICD coding and their implications for data comparability.

27 Jan 2025

Whooping cough cases on the rise, but public awareness of the disease still persists

Following a several-year lull during the pandemic, cases of whooping cough are increasing across the United States.

17 Dec 2024

Skin-friendly bacteria could revolutionize vaccination

Imagine a world in which a vaccine is a cream you rub onto your skin instead of a needle a health care worker pushes into your one of your muscles.

11 Dec 2024

Hypertonic saline speeds recovery from colds

Using hypertonic saline nasal drops can reduce the length of the common cold in children by two days, according to a study that will be presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria. They can also reduce the onward transmission of colds to family members.

6 Sep 2024

First-generation antihistamine drugs could increase seizure risk among young children

Research indicates first-generation antihistamines may elevate seizure risk in young children, highlighting the need for careful prescription practices.

30 Aug 2024