Is it the direct effect of the virus causing sneezing, excessive mucus, inflammation, sore throat, streaming eyes, shivering and fever, wheezing etc, or is it the immune response going into action to prevent the virus doing more serious damage, or over-reacting against the invasive pathogen, or is it neutral or pathogenic bacteria causing disease, or is it an allergic response to the toxins produced by bacteria?
Or is malignant spirits, pollution in the atmosphere, the weather, not doing enough exercise, impaired immune system, laziness, laying in bed and moaning, smoking, drinking too much, not enough chicken soup?
2007-01-02 07:18:59 · 8 answers · asked by Perseus 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
It is not typically the virus DIRECTLY. Viral infections in teh respiratory tract induce massive immune responses. Cytokines such as interferon alpha and beta, as well as various interleukins are released into the blood stream. These cytokines are immune modulators that recruit various immune cells as well as change function(s) of epithelial, endothelial, and other immune cells already present at the site of infection. For instance, mast cells (a specialized type of immune cell) release granules containing histamine. You recognize the term "antihistamine?" Histamine causes a number of problems including sneezing, watery eyes, etc. Virus infection of various cells can kill the cells, however, and lead to some problems such as excess mucous, pain, and cough. But in general, the answer is that the immune system is responding to the presence of the virus, which is where the bulk of the symptoms come from. It's a double edged sword.
Oh and by the way, there are multiple viruses that cause 'the common cold.' Coryza, is not one of them as someone said earlier - it's not even a virus. It's the term given to symptoms of a cold. The main culprits are human rhinovirus, human coronavirus 229E, human coronavirus OC43, and parainfluenza viruses including respiratory syncytial virus.
2007-01-02 07:45:43 · answer #1 · answered by shektbg 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The "common cold" is not a bacteria, it's a virus. In particular, the name of the virus is "rhinovirus". Mucus, sneezing, mild inflammation, watery eyes, etc. are all symptoms of the common cold. Your body is basically trying to isolate all the bacteria and get rid of it as quickly as possible. Generally the way to do so is via spitting it back out the way it came, e.g., your nose and mouth.
Rhinovirus is generally harmless and resolves itself in a couple of days, depending on your immune system and the particular mutagenic strain you get. Taking "medicine" for the common cold is generally regarded as impossible, as your body would have taken care of the problem well before antivirals could take signficant effect. It would be like putting on a helmet after you fell off your bike.
I'd like you to note, however, that fever, a lot of wheezing, and a sore throat generally are signs of bacterial infection, not the common cold. Yes, mild presence of some of those signs could be determined as part of the common cold, but those signs alone are by and large far more prevalent among bacterial infections.
Side Note: The word "coryza" is NOT a virus, it's a medical term to describe the generic symptoms of a head cold.
2007-01-02 07:35:16 · answer #2 · answered by christophermalachite 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, all those are causes and symptoms of a common cold, especially the not enough chicken soup. If you have a cold, stay in bed, drink lots of soup and take one of those remedies that are forever being advertised on TV and get well soon.
2007-01-02 07:29:03 · answer #3 · answered by blondie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The symptoms of a cold are caused by a cold.
2007-01-02 07:25:12 · answer #4 · answered by freelander 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Its the body's reaction to the virus Coryza, which is the virus of the common cold.
2007-01-02 07:32:16 · answer #5 · answered by Wantstohelpu 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Its the virus - sneezing in particular can be understood as an evolutionary adaptation.
Viruses which cause people to sneeze are going to become more prevalent because the aerosol of phlegm particles in the air can then cause other people to contract the same virus.
2007-01-02 07:27:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
1
2017-03-02 00:41:07 · answer #7 · answered by Jeanne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I pick the chicken soup. Only it has to have dumplings in it. The symptoms are definatly from not having enough chicken soup with dumplings. UMMMMM, dumplings.......
2007-01-02 07:23:44 · answer #8 · answered by Katie 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it is a virus.
2007-01-02 08:34:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋