Causes of Common Cold: Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, and More Other Causes of the Common Cold You know the drill. Your throat feels scratchy, you start sneezing and coughing , and pretty soon you're in the grip of a nasty cold . To add insult to injury, all that big-time misery is from a tiny invader -- a living thing called a virus. And it's not just one you need to dodge. There are more than 200 that can lay you low. It's likely that someday you'll have a close encounter with one of these types: Rhinovirus RSV and parainfluenza There are also a lot of viruses that doctors haven't identified. About 20%-30% of colds in adults are caused by these "unknown" bugs. How and When They Strike Cold viruses have a lot in common, but each type has its own style, too. Rhinovirus. This bunch is most active in early fall, spring, and summer. They cause 10%-40% of colds . You'll feel plenty miserable when you catch one, but the good news is they rarely make you seriously sick. Coronavirus.

These tend to do their dirty work in the winter and early spring. The coronavirus is the cause of about 20% of colds . There are more than 30 kinds, but only three or four affect people. RSV and parainfluenza. These viruses cause 20% of colds. They sometimes lead to severe infections, like pneumonia , in young children. What's Not Causing Your Cold Time to set the record straight. There's no evidence that you get sick because you've been out in cold weather. And don't worry if you got overheated. It doesn't lead to a cold either. Another myth says your diet is the cause. Don't pay attention to that tall tale. And ignore someone who says you're getting sick because your tonsils or adenoids are large. On the other hand, research suggests that stress and allergies that affect your nose or throat may raise your chances of getting infected by a cold virus. Other Causes of the Common Cold About 10% to 15% of adult colds are caused by viruses also responsible for other, more severe respiratory illnesses. The causes of 20%-30% of adult colds, presumed to be viral, remain unidentified.

The same viruses that produce colds in adults appear to cause colds in children. The relative importance of various viruses in children's colds, however, is unclear because it's difficult to isolate the precise cause of symptoms in studies of children with colds. There is no evidence that you can get a cold from exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on January 20, 2015 Sources Common Colds: Protect Yourself and Others | Features | CDC Common Colds: Protect Yourself and Others Language: ShareCompartir Sore throat and runny nose are usually the first signs of a cold, followed by coughing and sneezing. Most people recover in 7-10 days or so. You can help reduce your risk of getting a cold by washing your hands often and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Common colds are the main reason that children miss school and adults miss work. Each year in the United States, there are millions of cases of the common cold. Adults have an average of 2-3 colds per year, and children have even more.

Most people get colds in the winter and spring, but it is possible to get a cold any time of the year. Symptoms usually include sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, headaches and body aches. Most people recover within about 7-10 days. However, people with weakened immune systems, asthma, or respiratory conditions may develop serious illness, such as pneumonia. How to Protect Yourself and Others You can help reduce your risk of getting a cold: Wash your hands often with soap and water Wash them for 20 seconds , and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Viruses that cause colds can live on your hands, and regular handwashing can help protect you from getting sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands Viruses that cause colds can enter your body this way and make you sick. Stay away from people who are sick Sick people can spread viruses that cause the common cold through close contact with others. Help reduce your risk of getting a cold by washing hands often with soap and water.

If you have a cold, you should follow these tips to prevent spreading it to other people: Stay at home while you are sick Avoid close contact with others, such as hugging, kissing, or shaking hands Move away from people before coughing or sneezing Cough and sneeze into a tissue then throw it away, or cough and sneeze into your upper shirt sleeve, completely covering your mouth and nose Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and objects such as toys and doorknobs There is no vaccine to protect you against the common cold. How to Feel Better There is no cure for a cold. To feel better, you should get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medicines may help ease symptoms but will not make your cold go away any faster. Always read the label and use medications as directed. Talk to your doctor before giving your child nonprescription cold medicines, since some medicines contain ingredients that are not recommended for children. Learn more about symptom relief . Antibiotics will not help you recover from a cold.

They do not work against viruses, and they may make it harder for your body to fight future bacterial infections if you take them unnecessarily. Learn more about when antibiotics work . When to See a Doctor You should call your doctor if you or your child has one or more of these conditions: a temperature higher than 100.4° F symptoms that last more than 10 days symptoms that are severe or unusual If your child is younger than 3 months of age and has a fever, you should always call your doctor right away. Your doctor can determine if you or your child has a cold and can recommend therapy to help with symptoms. Call your doctor if your child has symptoms that last more than 10 days. Causes of the Common Cold Many different viruses can cause the common cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common. Rhinoviruses can also trigger asthma attacks and have been linked to sinus and ear infections. Other viruses that can cause colds include respiratory syncytial virus , human parainfluenza viruses , and human metapneumovirus . Viruses that cause colds can spread from infected people to others through the air and close personal contact.

You can also get infected through contact with stool (poop) or respiratory secretions from an infected person. This can happen when you shake hands with someone who has a cold, or touch a doorknob that has viruses on it, then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose. More Information What is Rhinovirus? What is Rhinovirus? By Dr Ananya Mandal, MD The “rhino” in rhinovirus is derived from the Greek for “nose” and these viruses are the most common infective virus to cause the common cold in humans. Rhinovirus describes species that belongs to the enterovirus genus of the family Picornaviridae. Other enteroviruses belonging to Picornaviridae include poliovirus and Coxsackie A virus. Rhinovirus is one of the smallest types of virus, with a diameter of around 30 nanometers. Most other viruses such as vaccinia or smallpox are around ten times this size, with diameters of about 300 nanometers. Rhinoviruses contain single-stranded positive sense RNA as their genetic material.

These RNA genomes span a length of between 7.2 and 8.5 kb. At the 5' end, there is a virus-encoded protein and at the 3’ end there is a 3' poly-A tail, as in mammalian mRNA. Structural proteins are coded for in the 5' region of the genome, while non-structural proteins are coded for in the 3' portion. This applies to every picornavirus. There is no envelop enclosing the viral particles and the structure of the virus is icosahedral. Optimal growth of the virus is achieved at somewhere between 33 and 35 °C, which is the temperature range found in the human nose. Around 100 rhinoviruses have been identified, all of which differ according to the proteins presented on their surface. As the predominant cause of the common cold in humans, primary symptoms of this condition include runny nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing and congestion. These symptoms may be accompanied by headache, muscle ache, muscle weakness, malaise and loss of appetite. Children can suffer from as many as twelve colds a year and in the United states, with colds occurring more commonly between September and April.

This may be attributed to the school year starting around September and to people spending more time inside and within closer proximity of each other during these months. Lower temperatures may be another factor, particularly outdoors, given that rhinovirus would favor 32˚C for replication over 37˚C. Rhinovirus Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments and Causes - RightDiagnosis.com more undiagnosed conditions...» Misdiagnosis and Rhinovirus Sinusitis is overdiagnosed: There is a tendency to give a diagnosis of sinusitis , when the condition is really a harmless complication of another infection, such as a common cold .... read more » Whooping cough often undiagnosed: Although most children in the Western world have been immunized against whooping cough (also called " pertussis "), this... read more » Read more about Misdiagnosis and Rhinovirus Rhinovirus: Research Doctors & Specialists Research related physicians and medical specialists: Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists: Untitled Document Rhinovirus - "The Common Cold" by Ryan Michalek Introduction: Rhinovirus, pictured above, is best known as the common cold.

It is a member of the picornaviridae family along with more virulent viruses such as polio and hepatitis A. The viruses of this family are characterized as small (20-30nm genome) positive polarity RNA viruses consisting of one genome segment and a nonenveloped capsid. Unlike the its more lethal relatives, Rhinovirus is designed to attack a host numerous times during their lifetime. It is the perfect pathogen. It is estimated that adults suffer from 2 to 4 infections with the virus each year. The statistics below show the toll that the virus has on the United States Population: There are nearly 62 million cases of the common cold annually in the US 52.2 million of these cases affect Americans under age 17 There are nearly 22 million school-loss days annually due to the common cold There are approximately 45 million bed days annually associated with the common cold Seventy-five percent of common colds suffered by children under 5 years are medically attended Source: Vital and Health Statistics Series 10, No.

200 The economic impact of the cold is estimated at 5 billion dollars, but is far greater in indirect costs when considering loss of productivity and school abscence. Encounter: It is virtually impossible to avoid Rhinovirus encounter because it is one of the few pathogens that is present in the environment year round. There are over 100 serotypes making it unlikely to have antibodies to each strain. It often enters the upper respitory tract via aerosolized droplets coming from an infectious individuals coughing or sneezing. It is also possible to spread the pathogen through saliva. However, studies have proven that contact transmission is the dominant mode of contraction. [9] This is possible because infected individuals can shed the virus 24 hours before symptoms and as long as 2 weeks after symptoms cease. Contrary to popular belief, there is no valid clinical evidence that exposure to cold or moisture will result in infection. Entry: Primary infection occurs in the nasal mucosa and occasionally the conjunctiva. Once exposed to the epithelial cells, the virus attempts to bind to intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1). ICAM-1 is regularly used by the immune system to bind endothelial cells to leukocytes.

However, as the picture above shows, Rhinovirus is able to take advantage of this property and recognizes it with its own receptors. The invasion of the virus can upregulate the immune system and cause more ICAM-1 receptors to become available and increase suseptibility. However, the body has developed natural defenses for dealing with the pathogen. Rhinovirus is first limited by the number of receptors that are available to it. Sialic acid glycoproteins, normally contained in mucus, are able to can compete with the viral receptors and diminish or prevent the binding of the pathogen. [8] To infect the host, the virus must not be swept away in the mucus, neutralized by IgA, or be destroyed by recruited macrophages. Rhinovirus is also acid labile which means that it is unable to withstand the harsh conditions in the gasterol intestinal tract. The key feature to Rhinovirus is its need for a low temperature environment, about 33 degrees Celsius. The body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius is to extereme for the pathogen. Therefore it is limited to upper respiratory infection and can not become systemic.

Damage: While in the body, Rhinovirus does little or no tissue damage. Below is a picture of Rhinovirus infected cells. Many of the symptoms, such as coryza, sneezing, lacrimation, irritated nasopharynx, headache, sore throat, and chills are a result of the stimulated immune response. The constant cytokines cause inflammation of the respiratory tract. In some cases lyrangitis, tracheitis, and bronchitis can result. More importantly, the Rhinovirus weakens the immune system and allows secondary bacterial infections like sinusitis and in rare cases pneumonitis to take hold. Human diploid fibroblasts infected with Rhinovirus (100X). Courtesy © Danny L. Wiedbrauk, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan USA. Treatment: The major problem with Rhinovirus is that being infected with one strand will not result in cross immunity to another serotype. There are a few different antiviral drugs on clinical trials for Rhionvirus right now. One such product, being tested by Biota, is designed to block the receptor site on Rhinovirus. It fills the valley where the ICAM-1 binds.

However, none of these drugs have yet to make it onto the market. The most common treatment for Rhionvirus is to allow the uman immune response to take its course. This involves plenty of rest, hydration, and for serious symptoms anti-inflammatory medications and nasal decongestants can be utilized. There are no preventative medical precautions, such as vaccines, that can be developed for Rhinovirus due to its broad range of serotypes. The major health crisis concerning Rhinovirus today is the uneccessary prescription of antibiotics.An estimated 18 million antibiotic prescriptions are written each year in the US for patients suffering from viral respiratory infections including the common cold, but these prescriptions are for antibacterial agents that do nothing to alter the course of the viral respiratory disease.[7] Many doctors feel pressured by the parents of infected children to offer some form of treatment. The problem is that the antibiotics have no effect on the virus and at the same time inflict damage on the patients normal flora. This can lead to colonization by oppurtunistic pathogens and ultimately a more srious helath risk. Outcome: Contrary to popular belief, there is no valid clinical evidence of Rhinovirus aquired by exposure to cold weather or getting wet.

The best method for attempting to avoid Rhinovirus is to wash the hands after coming into contact with various fomites and infected individuals. If infected, cover the mouth when sneezing and discharging other bodily fluids. Make sure to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. The symptoms should subside within 4-7 days on average. It is virtually impossible to be immune to each serotype, but each infection will produce antibodies to prevent future infection with that specific strain. Sources: Rhinovirus Infections - HealthyChildren.org Rhinovirus Infections Page Content Article Body More than any other illness, rhinoviruses (rhin means “nose”) are associated with the common cold. Rhinoviruses may also cause some sore throats, ear infections, sinus infections, and to a lesser degree, pneumonia and bronchiolitis (infection of the small breathing passages of the lungs). The average child has 8 to 10 colds during the first 2 years of her life. If she spends time in child care settings where she’ll be exposed to other children with colds, she may catch even more colds. Rhinoviruses are spread easily through person-to-person contact.

When a child with a rhinovirus infection has a runny nose, nasal secretions get onto her hands and from there onto tables, toys, and other surfaces. Your child might touch the hands or skin of another youngster or toys that have been contaminated by the virus and then touch her own eyes or nose, infecting herself. She might breathe in airborne viruses spread by a sneeze or cough. Although your child can develop a cold at any time of the year, these infections are most common during autumn and spring. Signs and Symptoms The signs and symptoms of the common cold are familiar to everyone. Your child’s cold may start with a watery, runny nose that has a clear discharge. Later, the discharge becomes thicker and is often colored brownish, gray, or greenish. This colored nasal discharge is normal as the child begins to get over the cold.

Children may also develop symptoms such as Sneezing A mild fever (101°F–102°F or 38.3°C–38.9°C) Headaches Muscle aches A decrease in appetite In some children, pus will appear on the tonsils, which could be a sign of a streptococcal infection The incubation period for a rhinovirus infection is usually 2 to 3 days. Symptoms generally persist for 10 to 14 days, sometimes less. What You Can Do When your child has a cold, make sure she gets enough rest. She should drink extra fluid if she has fever. If she is uncomfortable, talk to your pediatrician about giving her acetaminophen to reduce her fever. Don’t give her over-the-counter cold remedies or cough medicines without first checking with your doctor. These over-the-counter medicines do not kill the virus and, in most circumstances, do not help with the symptoms. When to Call Your Pediatrician If your infant is 3 months or younger and develops cold symptoms, contact your pediatrician. Complications ranging from pneumonia to bronchiolitis are much more likely to develop in very young children.

Older youngsters generally don’t need to be seen by a pediatrician when they have a cold. Nevertheless, contact your doctor if your older youngster has symptoms such as Lips or nails that turn blue Noisy or difficult breathing Ear pain, which may indicate an ear infection How Is the Diagnosis Made? Colds are typically diagnosed by observing your child’s symptoms. In general, it is impractical to conduct laboratory tests to identify the organism that may be infecting a child with cold symptoms. Treatment Most rhinovirus infections are mild and do not require any specific treatment. Antibiotics are not effective against the common cold and other viral infections. What Is the Prognosis? Most colds go away on their own without complications. Prevention Keep an infant younger than 3 months from having close contact with children or adults who have colds. Make sure your child washes her hands frequently, which will reduce the chances of getting the virus. Last Updated Rhinovirus Infection: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology Rhinovirus Infection Author: Michael Rajnik, MD; Chief Editor: Mark R Wallace, MD, FACP, FIDSA more...

Share Overview Practice Essentials Rhinoviruses (RVs) chiefly cause upper respiratory tract infections, but may also infect the lower respiratory tract. RVs are the most common cause of the common cold. Although RV infections occur year-round, the incidence is highest in the fall and the spring (see the image below). Seasonal variations in frequency of selected upper respiratory tract infection pathogens. PIV = parainfluenza virus; RSV = respiratory syncytial virus; MPV = metapneumovirus; Group A Strept = group A streptococcus. Essential update: Colds and other minor infections may increase stroke risk in children Findings from a study by Hills and colleagues suggest that the strong effect of minor infections on the risk of stroke in children is short-lived. The risk appears to be highest during the three days following a doctor’s visit for an infection, after which it rapidly diminishes. [ 1 , 2 ] The researchers used the Kaiser Pediatric Stroke Study, which represents about 2.5 million children enrolled between 1993 and 2007 in Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC).

In a retrospective study of medical records, they identified 102 children who had sustained an arterial ischemic stroke and 306 control children without stroke. The total number of doctor visits during the 2 years before a stroke during which a diagnosis of 1 or more minor infections was made were included in the analysis. [ 2 ] A total of 74 cases (73%) and 187 controls (61%) had at least 1 visit for infection during the 2-year observation period. The most common infection reported was upper respiratory tract infection representing 49% of infections in the cases and 45.4% of infections in the controls over the 2-year period. [ 2 ] The rate of infection before the stroke or index date was greater for cases than controls in each of three time periods: within 3 days, 4 to 7 days, and 8 to 30 days.

After adjustment for these periods, sex, immunologic, hematologic, and cardiac disease, and head and neck trauma in the preceding month, a diagnosis of infection 3 days before a stroke conferred a 12-fold increased risk for arterial ischemic stroke (odds ratio, 12.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.5 - 56.7; P = .002). The risk rapidly diminished after those 3 days, with no increased risk for stroke beyond 1 week. [ 2 ] Signs and symptoms Manifestations of RV infection typically appear after an incubation period of 12-72 hours and last 7-11 days, but may persist for longer. Signs and symptoms include the following: Nasal dryness or irritation - May be first symptom Sore throat or throat irritation – Common and bothersome initial symptom Nasal discharge, nasal congestion, and sneezing – Intensify over 2-3 days Headache References Anderson P. High Stroke Risk Transient After Infection in Kids. Medscape Medical News. Available at . Accessed: August 23, 2014. Hills NK, Sidney S, Fullerton HJ.

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131(1):69-77.e1-6. [Medline] . Media Gallery Seasonal variations in frequency of selected upper respiratory tract infection pathogens. PIV = parainfluenza virus; RSV = respiratory syncytial virus; MPV = metapneumovirus; Group A Strept = group A streptococcus. of 1 Rhinovirus Rhinovirus Virus Home > Rhinovirus Rhinovirus The rhinovirus is one of the viruses that causes the common cold. Cold symptoms associated with an infection with this virus include coughing, fever, sore throat, and a runny nose. There are no treatments that can kill this virus; treatment involves relieving symptoms as the body fights the infection. A lot is known about this virus, thanks to common cold researchers who are hard at work looking for an effective cure or vaccine for this type of virus. What Is Rhinovirus? The common cold is caused by a virus. More than 200 different viruses are known to cause the common cold . One such type of virus is the rhinovirus.

Facts About Rhinovirus Rhinoviruses (from the Greek word rhin, meaning "nose") are the cause of the common cold in an estimated 30 to 35 percent of all adults. More than 110 distinct rhinovirus types have been identified. This virus belongs to the Picornaviridae family of viruses. A rhinovirus is a very small RNA virus. Rhinovirus types are most active in early fall, spring, and summer. They can live up to 3 hours on your skin. They also can survive up to 3 hours on objects such as telephones and doorknobs. These viruses grow best at temperatures of about 91 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature inside the human nose. Symptoms When someone becomes infected with a rhinovirus, he or she will experience what is commonly known as the common cold. The symptoms usually begin 2 to 3 days after infection. The symptoms of infection with this type of virus often include: Mucus buildup in your nose Difficulty breathing through your nose Swelling of your sinuses

Question: What is caused by a rhinovirus?
Answer: The Common Cold