Common cold symptoms ‘feel more severe in lonely people’

People experiencing loneliness are likely to feel the impact of common cold symptoms more acutely, according to new research.

The Rice University study assessed 159 people aged 18 to 55, evaluating their psychological and physical health, before giving them cold-inducing nasal drops and quarantining them for five days in hotel rooms.

Results showed that people who felt lonely were more prone to report that their cold symptoms were more severe, compared to those with stronger social networks.

Of note was the fact that feeling lonely and actual social isolation were seen as distinct, as the trend had more to do with the quality of the subjects' relationships, rather than how big or small their social networks were.

The researchers said this effect was indicative of the predisposition towards loneliness interacting with the stressor of illness, leading to one amplifying the other.

Rice University psychologist and study leader Chris Fagundes said: "Doctors should take psychological factors into account at intake on a regular basis. It would definitely help them understand the phenomenon when the person comes in sick."

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