Allergy to cold viruses?

From: MS (ms_at_nospam.com)
Date: 10/25/04 

Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 17:25:35 -0700

Funny title, I know.

What I mean is the following: I recall reading something to the effect that
the reason that some people catch colds a lot, and others much more, isn't
really that the first group becomes infected with the virus more. That
everyone catches various infections from cold viruses, but that some people
have more of an immune response to the virus, and the symptoms of illness
are really the body's reaction to the virus. That some people catch the
virus, but don't show any symptoms, in that the body doesn't react to it the
same way. In other words, it isn't that the people who "catch a lot of
colds" don't have lesser immune response, but perhaps too much immune
response, which causes the problems. In other words, although not per se an
"allergy", it kind of works like an allergy, with the body's immune system
over-reacting to the rhinoviruses, as the body can over-react to an
allergen. It's certainly probably true that people with allergies catch more
colds than other people.

Anyone know about this? Is it true? Has there been further research into
this? Any work on trying to desensitize the over-reaction of such people to
cold viruses, so that their immune system doesn't over-react, as with
allergy shots?

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