Rapid Nasal Interferon Response May Stop Colds Before Symptoms Start

Lab-grown human nasal tissue reveals that an early interferon-driven antiviral defense in nasal cells can stop rhinovirus infection and prevent illness. When this response is fast, the virus is contained with few or no symptoms; if it lags, infection spreads, triggering inflammation and mucus. The findings point to therapies that boost the body's own defenses rather than targeting the virus itself.