Medicine discovered vaccine for cold

Inoculation against runny nose could come soon
The low temperatures of recent weeks have given us a real cold wave. Many a family member or colleague is currently suffering from ailments such as cough, runny nose and sore throat. It is recommended to strengthen the immune system to protect against infections. But in the future, a vaccine could also help here.

Vaccination against cold in prospect
A flu infection, the "simple" cold, you can catch several times a year. The symptoms start slowly and fade away after a few days. This is a known difference between cold and flu. The latter occurs quite suddenly. However, there is another significant difference: vaccines are available for the flu, but not for colds. At least not yet. But that could change in the future, as Austrian scientists report.

Many people are currently in bed with a bad cold. In the future, vaccination could reduce the number of people suffering from colds. Researchers have developed a vaccine against it. (Image: ladysuzi / fotolia.com)

Define risk groups
Years ago, the Medical University (MedUni) Vienna wrote in a press release that a vaccine against colds is conceivable.

The allergist Rudolf Valenta, Head of the Department of Immunopathology at MedUni Vienna, and his team developed a rhinovirus chip that gave "cause for hope," "identifying with those involved in a recent asthma or COPD episode Rhinovirens can develop a vaccine against colds, "explained Valenta.

The chip is, so to speak, an antibody test for colds. "If a rhinovirus is detected, the seizure is due to it. If you know the triggering strain, you can vaccinate against it, "says Valenta.

Because at the same time can be categorized with the chip and the many rhinovirus strains and filter out those that are most dangerous. Similar to the flu vaccine could then define risk groups that should be vaccinated.

Antibodies against the wrong part of the virus
Previously, the research team had found that the immune system against the common cold virus is directed against the wrong part of the virus. The immune defense thus fights the inside of the virus and not the envelope used by the virus to attach itself to the mucous membrane of the patient.

"Anyone who has runny nose develops antibodies against the wrong part of the virus, which does not protect the immune response. It goes into the void, "explained study leader Rudolf Valenta from the Institute for Pathophysiology and Allergy Research of the MedUni Vienna in another statement.

This could be an important reason why humans do not become immune to colds, as is the case with other infectious diseases such as measles. In the case of cold, the antibodies fight again and again the wrong part of the virus.

Coryza patients should not become asthmatic patients
Her research is not about the "fight against the cold itself." Rather, it should be prevented, "that from a common cold patient becomes an asthma patient".

Meanwhile, the scientists have taken a step forward. According to recent media reports Valenta wants to outsmart the immune system and make sure that the reaction is directed to another part of the virus.

According to the information, a vaccine containing a mixture of proteins should make the patient develop antibodies against rhinoviruses, which should block a common cold.

It is said that a patent is already pending for the mixture, but it will likely take a long time before the vaccine can really be used. (Ad)