Question

1. What are the causes of the common cold?
2.What is a virus?

Answer 1

1. The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract including the nose, throat, and sinuses, caused by viruses. The most cases of the common cold are caused by the Rhinovirus. Other viruses responsible for the common cold are Adenovirus, influenza virus, coronavirus, etc. The usual symptoms of the common cold are runny nose, sore throat, nose congestion, headaches, coughing, sneezing, etc. The human rhinovirus primarily infects nasal mucosa, penetrating the epithelial tissue in the nasal passage which elicits an innate immune response by the host causing inflammation in the nasal passage. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) are produced by the host to get rid of the virus.

2. A virus is an obligate infectious submicroscopic particle composed of the central genome (RNA or DNA) enclosed by a protein coat known as a capsid. They are small in size ranging from 20 to 300 nm in diameter. Viruses lack enzymes and proteins required for multiplication hence, they essentially require a host to reproduce by hijacking the host cellular machinery. Viruses can cause various plants, animals, and human infections. Some human viral diseases are HIV, Ebola, herpes, common cold, polio, chickenpox, measles, etc.