Common+Cold-Brett+C.

toc WikiSpace Created By: Brett Chapman =Name= Common Name: Common Cold Scientific Name: Acute Rhinopharyngitis

=Background= The name of the "common cold" has been around since the 16th century because it would be a virus obtained during the cold weather months. But what we call a "cold" is not its own virus, it evolves from acute rhinopharyngitis also known as the [|rhinovirus]. The common cold does not have an outbreak record but most commonly outbreaks in the winter months. Over the years there hasn't been much mutations of the cold either. The United States of America has a record of an estimated [|one billion] colds per year. America has the highest count for catching colds but the cold isn't found in one place. It is a global virus and just about everyone gets it once.

=Virus Interactions= The common cold is spread through a variety of ways. It can be spread through uncovered coughs and sneezes. Also through kissing or sharing drinks of another person. A cold can only spread from person to person and not from person to animal. In the human body, the virus is fought by the body's white blood cells which are apart of the [|immune system.] These cells are specialized to kill threatening foreign organisms in the body. The actual virus itself is covered by VP1, VP2, VP3 and VP4 proteins. The virus' cells carry RNA strands that inject in the body's cell typically found in the nose. From there it uses those nose cells as host for the virus to spread. Once the RNA is in place, the organelle that make the protein for the cell is taken over. Now because a new RNA is set in the organelle it will no longer produce for the nose cell but for the common cold. After this happens continuously, the virus eventually breaks out of the cell and begins to attack others.

=Symptoms= Nose Mucus Build Up Headache Cough Sore Throat Nose Breathing Difficulty Sneezing Sinus Swelling

=Treatment= There is no cure for the common cold as many people know. The simplest way to achieve relief is to get plenty of rest. Rest allows your body to fight the illness faster so it isn't competing with all the energy your putting out. Other ways of relief are to drink plenty of liquids and aspirins if you were to have a fever. To treat the actual virus itself you may want to try over-the-counter cold medicines. It is also important to remember that generic brands of medicine work just as well as name brands.


 * Treatment Warnings:** It is important that you do not take an antibiotic medicine while having a cold. It will not treat it in any at all. This is because the common cold is a not bacterial illness so antibiotics aren't any help.

=Prevention= The viruses cant be prevented by simple [|hand washing]. With using just soap and water, it could prevent you from being sick because of all the germs that get to your hands. [|Disinfecting] is another method of preventing a cold. When disinfecting, do not attempt it on your skin! You should aim for disinfecting daily used items such as computers and door knobs. This way there are lest bacteria and germ for you to be exposed to.

**Interesting Fact** The rhinovirus can live on your skin for up to three hours! Go Figure. =Sources= [] [] [] []