Common Cold Virus Infections Drop After SARS-CoV-2 Exposure

TOPLINE:

Detection of common cold coronaviruses (ccCoVs) decreased by approximately half after the widespread SARS-CoV-2 exposure and COVID-19 vaccination, whereas detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus remained largely unchanged.

METHODOLOGY:

• As ccCoVs share genetic and antigenic features with SARS-CoV-2, widespread exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (through infection and vaccination) might affect ccCoV circulation.
• Researchers conducted a single-center retrospective study at Boston Medical Center comparing the incidence of ccCoV, RSV, and influenza virus infections before the COVID-19 pandemic and after the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron surge and widespread vaccination.
• The data collected encompassed five pre-COVID-19 seasons (October 2015 to March 2020), designated as period 1, and two post-widespread Omicron infection and COVID-19 vaccination seasons (October 2022 to April 2024), designated as period 2.
• Test positivity was evaluated while accounting for age, biological sex at birth, and level of hospitalization.

TAKEAWAY:

• Weekly ccCoV detection decreased by approximately 50% in period 2 vs period 1 (intercept, 12.35; β, -5.87; P < .0001), while RSV (intercept, 14.55; β, 4.34; P = .08) and influenza virus (intercept, 41.86; β = 2.83; P = .73) showed no significant decrease.
• After adjusting for age, sex, and level of medical care, the odds of detecting ccCoV were > 50% lower in period 2 than in period 1, whereas the odds of detecting RSV were approximately 25% higher.
• Individuals younger than 18 years had significantly higher ccCoV and RSV infections but not those older than 65 years.
• Biological sex at birth was not associated with the incidence of either ccCoV or RSV disease.

IN PRACTICE:

“Our current work demonstrates changes in ccCoV epidemiology in the city of Boston after nearly ubiquitous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 antigens from infection and COVID-19 vaccination,” the authors wrote. 

“SARS-CoV-2 infection potentially provides this heterotypic immunity, we cannot discount the effect of COVID-19 vaccination in this investigation,” they added. 

SOURCE:

The study was led by Trisha Parayil, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston. It was published online on June 18, 2025, in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

LIMITATIONS:

The study showed associations but did not prove causation. The findings need to be validated from health centers beyond Boston to establish generalizability. Ongoing CoV evolution and waning SARS-CoV-2 immunity may alter these associations in the future.

DISCLOSURES:

This study was supported by the Massachusetts Consortium for Pathogen Readiness. The authors reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.