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The Common Cold
(rhinopharyngitis)
The Common Cold, or Rhinovirus, is made up of a caspid that contains four viral proteins, VP's 1, 2, 3, and 4. The first three viral proteins form most of the protein caspid, while the fourth has a more extended structure and lies between the caspid and the RNA genome. The rhinovirus also has antibodies to help defend against infection.
An infected individual
A picture of the Rhinovirus.
The disease caused by the rhinovirus is the common cold. This is a 'common' disease spread mostly through the air and by contact with infected items. People in the United States suffer more than 1 billion colds a year, and according to the CDC, over 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold.
Symptoms Mucus buildup in your nose Difficulty breathing through your nose Swelling of your sinuses Sneezing Sore throat Cough Headache Fever (sometimes) Ear or sinus infection (sometimes)
The rhinovirus can be transmitted in two ways: 1. Touching surfaces that contain the virus, then touching your eyes or nose 2. Inhaling mucus in the air (sneeze) that contains the virus
The common cold can be treated using many household remedies that have been used for hundreds of years. Two easy remedies are getting a lot of bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids. A sore throat can be treated by gargling warm salt water or taking throat sprays or losenges. Pain releavers, like Tylenol, Asprin, and many other over-the-counter medicines, can help to bring down fevers or headaches. These treatments are easy and inexpensive, which explains why the cold isn't too much of a hassle to take care of.
The Rhinovirus can be easily prevented by doing a few simple, day to day things. Keeping your hands away from your nose and mouth, the areas that the disease enters your body, can help prevent the transmission of the rhinovirus. Other easy solutions, such as handwashing, disinfecting (hand sanitizer), and vaccinations are also effective. If you do even just a few of these things, you will have a very slim chance of getting the common cold.
