• Question: If we have never caught that certain common cold, approximately how long does it take for our immune system to fight it?

    Asked by Anish to Carmen, Daniel, Laura, Noel, Steph on 9 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Carmen Denman

      Carmen Denman answered on 9 Mar 2015:

      Hi Anish,

      When a pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganism like a bacteria or virus or fungus invades the body for the first time, the clinical (observable) response may range from nothing at all (you won’t even feel sick!), through various degrees of nonspecific reactions (a low fever, cough, headache), to specific infectious disease (spotty rash characteristic of meningitis). Immunologically, however, there is always a response which we wouldn’t notice, this response is the purpose of which is defense. As for how long that response actually takes, the process begins almost instantaneously. We have immune cells primed and signaling systems ready to go at a moments notice all throughout our bodies. Response time may vary with health status of the person, age of the person, and if they have any other complications existing already.

      Cheers,
      Carmen

    • Photo: Stephanie Dyson

      Stephanie Dyson answered on 9 Mar 2015:

      The time taken for the immune response may not actually be any different because there are over 200 strains of the cold virus so if you encounter one that you have never had before you would get recover in the same amount of time as if you had never had any of them. This is quite common when people go to university as they start mixing with students from all over the world each carrying unique strains of the cold virus.

      Steph

    • Photo: Noel Carter

      Noel Carter answered on 9 Mar 2015:

      Not being the greatest immunologist I have nothing to add to the answers below

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