Is it true that you will never get the EXACT same cold twice?

Question

Since a cold is a virus, and our anti-bodies remember viruses that it encounters, will I never get the exact same strain of the rhinovirus again?

Answer 1

That's true. The cold virus mutates constantly. If you were exposed to the exact same virus again, your body "remembers" and can fight it off before you have any cold symptoms. However, a new mutation is not recognized, and can produce all the symptoms all over again.

Re: the flu shot. (above)
Influenza is NOT the cold virus - it's completely different, and mutates much more slowly. That's why they can predict with reasonable certainty which variety needs to be in the flu shot. It is NOT worthless.

Answer 2

It's possible, but unlikely that it'll be the exact same strain, just due to the fact that there's so many out there. Just like it's also possible for lightening to strike twice in the same spot.

It's also likely that this could happen in the case of people with bad immune systems, as well.

Answer 3

yes its true...you may think you have the same cold as before, but there will always be a slight difference in the virus strand as it changes all the time...and as you get older you are less likely to be sick because your body has already fought off that particular strand...and another thing...if you do get a flu shot...remember that you are only getting a shot for 1 particular strand, you can end up getting a cold that is a different strand

Answer 4

Yes, it's true. I didn't believe it as first because I used to be sick with a "cold" all the time. But then I realized each time I had different symptoms. The common cold has 100's of forms.

Answer 5

Every time you get a cold or virus, your body builds up immunity to that particular virus.
But don't worry, there are 1000's more!
Your immune system will be getting lots of work out in a life time.

Answer 6

That's what the basis of the flu shot and a few other inoculations are. So, it must be true.