Rhinoviruses
Rhinoviruses are small viruses of which there are more than 90 subtypes recognised, all of which infect the lining of the respiratory tract to produce the symptoms of cough and cold lasting from days to weeks. They are highly infectious, there is no effective treatment and infection by one does not confer immunity to another, which is why we sometimes seem to go from one cold to another throughout the whole of the winter. The symptoms of congestion, running nose and mild fever, associated with malaise, are much less severe than those associated with infection by influenza A or B (it is said that with true `flu you can't get out of bed to pick up a £50 note from the floor). Infection is more likely in those with low immunity, and in those who smoke because the viruses are more likely to stick to the inflamed mucosa.
|
