Staying Connected with Friends Helps When You are Sick : Researchers have discovered that feeling lonely when sick can make the symptoms seem worse. Investigators from Rice University found that people who feel lonely are more prone to report that their cold symptoms are more severe than those who have stronger social networks. 'Loneliness puts people at risk for premature mortality and all kinds of other physical illnesses,' explains psychologist Chris Fagundes, who lead the study with graduate student Angie LeRoy. 'But nothing had been done to look at an acute but temporary illness that we're all vulnerable to, like the common cold.' The researchers drew a distinction between feeling lonely and actual social isolation. Moreover, the perception of being lonely is key. 'This paper is about the quality of your relationships, not the quantity,' LeRoy said. 'You can be in a crowded room and feel lonely. That perception is what seems to be important when it