Viral Infections and Common Cold

The most common cause of the common cold, rhinoviruses are small, non-enveloped viruses with a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome.

Rhinoviruses infect the nasal mucosa, attaching to specific receptors like ICAM-1. They replicate in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells, producing new viral RNA and proteins.

Rhinoviruses cause a range of symptoms, from sneezing and nasal congestion to sore throat, and can sometimes lead to secondary bacterial infections such as sinusitis or pneumonia.

Coronaviruses are another common cause of the common cold, known for their distinctive crown-like appearance under a microscope.

Common cold viruses like rhinoviruses spread through the air by droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Similar to rhinoviruses, Coronaviruses also attach to host cells and replicate within them, causing symptoms like congestion, sneezing, and runny nose.

Parainfluenza viruses, like influenza, are responsible for Laryngotracheitis, also known as croup, characterized by a harsh cough that resembles a bark.

Parainfluenza viruses replicate in the upper respiratory tract, mainly affecting the larynx and trachea, leading to inflammation and characteristic symptoms like stridor (noisy breathing) and a hoarse cough.

A type of virus with a single-stranded RNA genome that is enclosed in a lipid bilayer envelope. They are known for causing a range of respiratory illnesses, including the common cold.

These viruses have a helical capsid structure, which means they are shaped like a spiral. This structure gives them a distinct appearance under a microscope.

They contain spikes on their surface, which are glycoproteins that allow them to attach to host cells. These spikes are important for the virus to enter the host cell and cause infection.

Replication of these viruses occurs in the cytoplasm of infected cells.

These viruses are non-enveloped, meaning they lack a lipid bilayer surrounding their capsid. They have a unique structure with fiber proteins that extend from their surface.

This virus is a double-stranded DNA virus that replicates in the nucleus of infected cells. It uses the host cell's DNA polymerase to create viral proteins.

Adenoviruses can remain dormant in the adenoid or tonsillar tissues of the throat, potentially leading to future infections.

These are common causes of respiratory illnesses, including colds, pharyngitis, and pneumonia. Each serotype has a specific set of fiber proteins, determining its ability to cause different infections.

These are non-enveloped viruses with a double-stranded linear DNA genome and an icosahedral capsid. They are unique because they have fiber proteins projecting from the capsid.

These viruses infect the respiratory mucosa via the S or HE glycoproteins, attaching to aminopeptidase N receptors.

Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of the common cold. They are small, non-enveloped viruses with a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome.

Rhinoviruses infect the nasal mucosa, attaching to specific receptors like ICAM-1. They replicate in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells, producing new viral RNA and proteins.

Rhinoviruses cause a range of symptoms, from sneezing and nasal congestion to sore throat, and can sometimes lead to secondary bacterial infections such as sinusitis or pneumonia.

Coronaviruses are another common cause of the common cold. They are characterized by a distinctive crown-like appearance under a microscope.

Coronaviruses spread through the air by droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Parainfluenza viruses are a common cause of Laryngotracheitis, also known as Croup. These viruses replicate in the upper respiratory tract, mainly affecting the larynx and trachea, leading to inflammation and characteristic symptoms like stridor (noisy breathing) and a hoarse cough.

Adenoviruses are a major cause of upper respiratory tract infections. They have a unique structure with fiber proteins that extend from their surface. They are non-enveloped viruses, meaning they lack a lipid bilayer surrounding their capsid.

Adenoviruses are a major cause of upper respiratory tract infections. They are known to cause colds, pharyngitis, and pneumonia.

These viruses are the second most common cause of the common cold.

These viruses have a helical capsid, meaning their shape is like a spiral. They're also enveloped, meaning they have a lipid bilayer membrane surrounding them. The spikes on their surface are glycoproteins like S and HE, which help them attach to host cells.

They enter the respiratory tract by attaching to aminopeptidase N receptors using either their S or HE glycoprotein spikes.

They replicate in the cytoplasm of infected cells. This means all the machinery they need to make copies of themselves is found within the cell's main fluid-filled area.

They are non-enveloped, meaning they lack a lipid bilayer membrane surrounding their capsid. They have a unique structure with fiber proteins extending from their surface.

They cause respiratory illnesses, including colds, pharyngitis and pneumonia. Each serotype has a specific set of fiber proteins, determining its ability to cause different infections.