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Parenthood and host resistance to the common cold
Rodlescia S Sneed1, Sheldon Cohen, Ronald B Turner
1Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. rsneed@andrew.cmu.edu
Psychosomatic Medicine
|July 10, 2012
Summary
Parenthood appears to boost your immune system, making you more resistant to common colds. This study found parents were less likely to catch a cold after being exposed to a virus.
Area of Science:
- * Immunology and Virology
- * Human Health and Disease
Background:
- * The common cold remains a prevalent illness, impacting public health and productivity.
- * Understanding factors influencing host resistance is crucial for developing preventative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the potential link between parenthood and enhanced resistance to common cold viruses.
- * To determine if having children influences an individual's susceptibility to experimentally induced viral infections.
Main Methods:
- * 795 healthy adult volunteers (18-55 years) participated in three viral-challenge studies (1993-2004).
- * Participants were exposed to common cold viruses via nasal drops and monitored for cold development.
- * Statistical analyses controlled for immunity, viral strain, season, demographics, and lifestyle factors.
Main Results:
- * Parents exhibited significantly lower odds of developing a cold compared to non-parents (OR = 0.48).
- * This protective effect was observed across various numbers of children and living situations.
- * The association was more pronounced in older parents and not evident in the 18-24 age group.
Conclusions:
- * Parenthood is associated with increased host resistance to common cold viruses.
- * This suggests a potential immunological benefit conferred by the experience of raising children.
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