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Questions and Answers
What is the main portal of entry for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
What is the main portal of entry for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
Which type of virus is responsible for causing the common cold?
Which type of virus is responsible for causing the common cold?
Which group of viruses is characterized as negative sense single-stranded RNA viruses?
Which group of viruses is characterized as negative sense single-stranded RNA viruses?
What misconception about colds is addressed in the content?
What misconception about colds is addressed in the content?
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What action is suggested to help reduce the spread of viral infections?
What action is suggested to help reduce the spread of viral infections?
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Adenoviruses are characterized by which type of genetic material?
Adenoviruses are characterized by which type of genetic material?
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In which demographic is respiratory syncytial virus most likely to cause serious infections?
In which demographic is respiratory syncytial virus most likely to cause serious infections?
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What symptoms may indicate a croup infection caused by RSV?
What symptoms may indicate a croup infection caused by RSV?
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Which method is NOT a way to transmit cold viruses?
Which method is NOT a way to transmit cold viruses?
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What is the primary reason people miss school or work due to the common cold?
What is the primary reason people miss school or work due to the common cold?
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Which of the following is NOT a method of transmission for the common cold virus?
Which of the following is NOT a method of transmission for the common cold virus?
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What characteristic differentiates respiratory syncytial virus from influenza?
What characteristic differentiates respiratory syncytial virus from influenza?
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What is the average recovery time for most individuals infected with the common cold?
What is the average recovery time for most individuals infected with the common cold?
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Which symptom is generally NOT associated with the common cold?
Which symptom is generally NOT associated with the common cold?
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What characteristic of rhinovirus contributes to the frequency of cold infections?
What characteristic of rhinovirus contributes to the frequency of cold infections?
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What is the ideal temperature range for the rhinovirus to replicate?
What is the ideal temperature range for the rhinovirus to replicate?
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How does the common cold virus typically breach the mucous membranes?
How does the common cold virus typically breach the mucous membranes?
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Which of the following is a key difference between the common cold and flu symptoms?
Which of the following is a key difference between the common cold and flu symptoms?
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What is the structure of rhinovirus?
What is the structure of rhinovirus?
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Which of the symptoms listed is primarily associated with hay fever that is not typically seen in the common cold?
Which of the symptoms listed is primarily associated with hay fever that is not typically seen in the common cold?
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Colds are primarily caused by viruses rather than cold weather.
Colds are primarily caused by viruses rather than cold weather.
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The adenoviruses are non-enveloped icosahedral double-stranded RNA viruses.
The adenoviruses are non-enveloped icosahedral double-stranded RNA viruses.
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Antibiotics are effective in treating colds.
Antibiotics are effective in treating colds.
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Most children have experienced respiratory syncytial virus by the age of two.
Most children have experienced respiratory syncytial virus by the age of two.
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Respiratory syncytial virus can cause lower respiratory infections and ear infections.
Respiratory syncytial virus can cause lower respiratory infections and ear infections.
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Croup is a serious inflammation of the lungs caused by the common cold.
Croup is a serious inflammation of the lungs caused by the common cold.
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Infections with respiratory viruses can be transmitted through close personal contact.
Infections with respiratory viruses can be transmitted through close personal contact.
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Coughing and sneezing are ineffective methods of transmitting cold viruses.
Coughing and sneezing are ineffective methods of transmitting cold viruses.
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Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of colds.
Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of colds.
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Respiratory syncytial virus can undergo antigenic shift leading to new strains.
Respiratory syncytial virus can undergo antigenic shift leading to new strains.
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The common cold is also known as bacterial rhinitis.
The common cold is also known as bacterial rhinitis.
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Colds can affect only the nasal area.
Colds can affect only the nasal area.
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Symptoms of the common cold typically develop one to three days after exposure to the virus.
Symptoms of the common cold typically develop one to three days after exposure to the virus.
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Hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing can help reduce the risk of catching a cold.
Hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing can help reduce the risk of catching a cold.
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Rhinovirus can replicate optimally at temperatures around 37 degrees Celsius.
Rhinovirus can replicate optimally at temperatures around 37 degrees Celsius.
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There are over a hundred different serotypes of rhinovirus.
There are over a hundred different serotypes of rhinovirus.
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The symptoms of the common cold include high fever and shortness of breath.
The symptoms of the common cold include high fever and shortness of breath.
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Common coronaviruses typically only cause severe respiratory infections.
Common coronaviruses typically only cause severe respiratory infections.
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Touching surfaces with the virus is a way to contract a cold.
Touching surfaces with the virus is a way to contract a cold.
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Colds are primarily transmitted through airborne means and direct contact with infected secretions.
Colds are primarily transmitted through airborne means and direct contact with infected secretions.
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Study Notes
Common Cold Overview
- Common cold, also known as viral rhinitis, is an inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nose.
- These membranes are found throughout the body's exposed areas.
- Estimated over a billion colds occur annually in the U.S.
- Usually not serious, lasting about 7-10 days.
- Can affect the nasal cavities, throat, larynx, and trachea.
- Commonly causes school/work absences.
Transmission
- Viruses enter mucous membranes (nostrils, mouth, eyes).
- Contact with surfaces carrying the virus then touching exposed areas spreads the virus.
- Inhaling virus-carrying air can transmit the infection.
- Close contact with infected people's secretions, as well as touching fomites (contaminated surfaces), spreads the cold.
- Viruses bind to receptors on cells in the mucous membranes, gaining entry.
- Many viruses are circulating constantly, with seasonal variations.
- More colds occur during colder months, due to enclosed spaces, close proximity, increased indoor time, and lower humidity.
Reducing Risk
- Frequent hand washing is crucial for preventing spread.
- Avoid touching the face (especially without washing hands).
Symptoms
- Symptoms appear one to three days after exposure.
- Common symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, cough, sneezing, headache, body aches.
- Fever is uncommon, except in children.
- Symptoms in a cold include sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, headache, fatigue, possibly joint pain.
- Symptoms commonly excluded from a cold are shortness of breath, diarrhea, and itchy eyes.
Cold vs. Flu vs. Allergies (Hay Fever)
- Symptoms can overlap, making diagnosis challenging.
- A cold typically involves a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, headache, fatigue, and joint pain, often without fever (except in children) and without shortness of breath, diarrhea, and itchy eyes.
- Flu symptoms are usually more severe and include cough, headache, fever, fatigue, and joint pain, which are more frequent in flu.
- Cold viruses are different from the flu, COVID-19, and allergies. Allergies (or hay fever) have different characteristics.
Common Cold Viruses
-
Rhinoviruses: Most common cause, over 100 serotypes (antigenically different).
- Stable against detergents and heat, but sensitive to stomach acid.
- Replicates best at 33-35°C (body temperature is 37°C, but cooler near the surface of the nose).
- Spread through the air and on surfaces.
- RNA virus, lacks an envelope, icosahedral, positive sense single-stranded RNA.
-
Human Coronaviruses: Large family, infect many animals and may spillover into humans.
- Seven human coronaviruses, four of which cause mild upper respiratory infections (including the common cold).
- Spreads through the air.
- Enveloped, helical, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA.
-
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):
- Primary entry point is the nose.
- Replicates in the nasopharynx (back of the throat).
- Common in children under two years old, causing mild illness but potentially more serious in young infants or immunocompromised individuals.
- Infects the lower respiratory system and can cause ear infections.
- Envelope, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA, non-segmented.
-
Adenoviruses:
- Cause a wide range of infections including the common cold.
- Spread through feces, air, or close contact.
- Non-enveloped, icosahedral, double-stranded DNA virus.
Prevention
- Frequent hand washing
- Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Avoid close contact with sick individuals
- Stay home when sick
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Description
This quiz provides a comprehensive overview of the common cold, its symptoms, transmission, and impact on daily life. Learn about how the common cold spreads, the duration of symptoms, and the importance of hygiene in preventing infection. Explore the factors that contribute to the seasonal variations in cold outbreaks.
