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Kraz_I t1_istlu1j wrote

Reply to comment by x_BryGuy_x in If I am just recovered from a typical cold (5 days long / 2 days off work), am I now more immune to all infections for a period of time, or less? by [deleted]

But since your innate immune system ramps up during a cold or flu, would that make it less likely to catch other respiratory pathogens during that time?

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Polymerbiomaterials t1_isuq9eo wrote

Not an immunologist but I'd strongly suspect the answer is no - if you are exposed you are just as likely to fall ill. Unless you're body has seen that exact strain of virus before it will take time to develop a specified response capable of fighting infection off.

However the fact your immune system is already active might mean that the 'inflammation' would be different. It could mean the second infection could be a lot worse but over a shorter period of time...

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NatAttack3000 t1_isv5hmn wrote

No they're right. The innate immune system plays an important role in the start of an infection. When it is busy trying to kill one thing you are at slightly higher risk of a different infection- this is largely why secondary infections are a thing.

What you are speaking about is the adaptive immune system which kicks in a bit later, and is certainly more powerful, but a functional innate immune system should prevent a lot of infections before the adaptive response has really had to worry about it.

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