Family: Picornaviridae

Genus: Rhinovirus

 

Rhinovirus is one of the viruses that causes the common cold.

 

 

Rhinoviruses are composed of a capsid that contains four viral proteins. It can be described as a non-enveloped, single-stranded virus with RNA genomes. It is spherical in shape, 28-30 nm in diameter, and attaches to the folds in the mucous membranes of the nose.

 

 

 

 How is the virus transmitted?

 

Transmission of the rhinovirus occurs in a few ways; from touching infected surfaces and then touching your nose or eyes, from direct contact, or from affected air particles. The rhinovirus attaches to respiratory epithelium.

 

 

There are several way that transmission of rhinovirus can be prevented. Frequent hand-washing, keeping hands away from your face, limiting exposure to other people, practicing healthy habits, and using disinfectants can all help.

 

 

Rhinovirus enters through the upper respiratory tract. The virus then binds to the respiratory epithelia cells. This virus multiples successfully only in tissues that are slightly bleow normal body temperatures (33-35 Celcius)

 

 

The symptoms of rhinovirus usually begin 2-3 days after infection. They include; mucus buildup in the nose, difficulty breathing through nose, sneezing, swelling of sinuses, sore throat, cough, and headache. Fever is usually slight but can go up to 102 Fahrenheit in children and infants. A rhinovirus infection rarely causes serious problems.

 

 

The immune system contains a variety of natural substances called inflammatory mediators. They help protect the body from infection and other harmful events. Some inflammatory mediators are released when nasal cells are infected by a cold virus. This is what leads to the symptoms of a cold.

 

 

Currently there are no vaccines against rhinovirus because there are too many kinds of viruses that cause the common cold. However, there are several ways to relieve the symptoms caused by this infection. By drinking plenty of fluids, staying in bed, taking the common cold medicine, and using a humidifier, it will help alleviate the symptoms.

 

 

-Rhinovirus is shed in large amounts, with as many as 1 million infectious virions per mL of nasal secretion.

-Rhinovirus comes the Greek name rhin which means “nose”.  

-Despite all the stories, not wearing a jacket when it’s chilly, or going out with your hair wet do not cause colds.

-People who smoke are more likely to catch a cold than people who don’t. Their symptoms will probably be worse, last longer, and are more likely to lead to bronchitis or even pneumonia.

-There are roughly 100 known serotypes of rhinoviruses, each different enough to require 100 different vaccines to protect against them all. As a result, most researchers have given up on finding a vaccine to prevent the common cold.

 

 

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By Chloe Wong

Block: D