2006-11-27 23:43:27 · 22 answers · asked by broog 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Most colds are caused by numerous viruses (mainly rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and also certain echoviruses, paramyxoviruses, and coxsackieviruses), and althought you can treat the symptoms, you cannot cure the virus.
We are yet to find a cure - there is no medically-proven treatment that directly fights the virus.
2006-11-27 23:46:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Like most viruses, coryza, or acute nasopharyngitis (use either of these names for the cold next time you're off work) is regarded as difficult to find a cure for as not only is a virus much smaller, but it mutates at a speed where it can resist new cures at an astronomical rate. Also, just think how long anybody is going to remain alive after going to SmithKlineBeecham or Glaxo with a cure when the companies concerned make so much money from decongestents and other expensive concoctions purely for relief from a cold. For those who said there is no cure for a virus, above, then we didn't do too bad with smallpox did we?
2006-11-28 07:50:01 · answer #2 · answered by Uncle Sid 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Colds are viruses. Medical science can not cure them, they can only treat the effects. Viruses include the aids virus and look at the effort that has gone into finding a cure for that.
Primarily, the bodies answer to nasal viruses is to flood them out of the body by producing lots of snot. If you interfere with this process you run the real risk of having a really nasty virus growing in your naisal passages.
2006-11-28 07:57:04 · answer #3 · answered by Alice S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the virus continuously mutates (changes), so that you make a cure, and it only cures that particular strain at that time. Give it 4 months, near the end of winter, and it's already different. We just don't see it because the symptoms are always the same - but any cure or vaccination has to be more specific and targets particular types of virus.
2006-11-28 07:46:27 · answer #4 · answered by cuddles_gb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it mutates its self in different ways all the time what cures it this morning wont work this after noon
a room of 100 people could all have the cold and every one of them could have a different type. it is widely believed that no one will ever be able to come up with a cure for it.
the relief of symptoms will get better as time goes on though.
i would love to prove them all wrong and find the cure as bill gates would then look like a pauper compared to me, but on the other hand how many people would be at work today instead of on this site after the phoned in sick this morning with a awful bad cold.
2006-11-28 07:50:56 · answer #5 · answered by armaghmadman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a virus. viruss do not respond to antibiotics only bacterial infection. you can get the flu shot which will help prevent infection . viruses are only treated by prevention with vaccines which introduce a small form of the viruse into your body. your body then builds antibodies against the strain introduced there fore when you do come across the same virus in the environment your body has already built a defense against that specific virus and you are less likely to get sick from it. having said that the "common cold" virus mutates and adapts and becomes stronger and more resistant with time so its very difficult to find a vaccine that will prevent infection from the constant changing virus. Bacteria (which are microscopic "bugs") are actively killed by antibiotics which aggressively attack the bacteria at the cellular level this is not possible with viruses.
2006-11-28 14:20:17 · answer #6 · answered by rebeca 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Am not sure if many viruses have cures..only bacterias....I believe cos there are so many strains of the virus...you can never be sure which one you have...it also mutates alot..so once you have a cure...the viruse adapts and the cure nolonger works....similar to the HIV virus. I think from what I recall viruses all mutate alot...in thier nature
2006-11-28 07:47:29 · answer #7 · answered by michael s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's a virus. There are no cures for viruses, just ways of preventing them (inoculations / vaccinations), and ways of reducing their symptoms while the body fights off the virus (cold & flu "remedies").
2006-11-28 07:47:15 · answer #8 · answered by Otter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because, while the symptoms may be similiar, the virus that causes cold symptoms are different. All you can do is treat the symptoms of a cold.
However, living a healthy lifestyle and washing your hands throughout the day will maximize your chances of feeling welll.
2006-11-28 08:10:50 · answer #9 · answered by Pamela V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no cure for the common cold mainly because it is a virius and there is no cure for viriuses e.g AIDS HIV etc. i hope this has helped you with your answer
2006-11-28 07:54:53 · answer #10 · answered by Aaron O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋