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Cold and Flu
Questions and answers about the "Common Cold"; symptoms in the upper respiratory tract like sneezing, scratchy throat, and runny nose, but adults don't typically have fevers. Colds are usually caused by the rhinovirus (up to 40% of colds), or Coronaviruses (about 20%), but there are more than 200 viruses that can cause the common cold. Also questions about the seasonal flu, also called "regular flu", caused mostly by Type A and Type B Influenza viruses. Flu starts with similar symptoms as a cold only it hits faster and harder and usually includes fever in adults. Although the "stomach flu" is a common term, it is not a real diagnosis. The proper medical term for stomach flu is gastroenteritis (an intestinal disease, sometimes viral but also bacterial), it is often mistaken for influenza because the flu can sometimes include vomiting and diarrhea.
4,331 Questions
What is the difference between influenza type A and type B?
Influenza type A and type B are two different strains of the influenza virus. Type A is more common and has the ability to infect animals, while type B primarily infects humans. Type A viruses are categorized into subtypes based on two proteins on the surface of the virus, hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), which helps determine their potential to cause pandemics.
Once a virus gets inside a cell does it change the instructions to the cell's nucleus?
No, a virus does not change the instructions in the cell's nucleus. Instead, it uses the cell's machinery to replicate itself. The virus hijacks the cell's normal processes to make new virus particles, which can then infect other cells.
Why does it take an eighty year old longer to recover from the flu than a thirty year old?
As we age, our immune system weakens, making it harder for older adults to fight off infections like the flu. Additionally, older adults may have other underlying health conditions that can further complicate the recovery process. Overall, the immune response in older adults is slower and weaker, leading to a longer recovery time compared to younger individuals.
Does the flu virus live in cold or warm air?
The temperature of the air is not relevant, it is believed to be the absolute humidity level in the air that might affect the virus's ability to infect you more easily in one season than another. Cold and flu viruses thrive when dry. This is why the flu has a season, see the related question for more detail.
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Viruses are not really alive or dead like animals and plants, they are active or inactive. They are not cellular and do not function like a living organism.
Does the flu have environmental causes?
Not a direct cause. However, the virus that does cause flu is present in the environment and that is one way it spreads by our contact with the virions (virus particles) on objects and surfaces in the environment from others' coughs and sneezes (along with direct contact with infected individuals).
There is another link between the environment and the incidences of influenza infections, too. That is that the flu likes the environment dry. In the northern hemisphere, our flu season occurs in the fall and winter. The latest info has it that there is a flu season because, at that time of year, the absolute humidity is low, making the type of dry environment that allows more activity by the viruses that cause the flu.
See the related question about why flu has a season on this page.
Why is it easier to shock people in cold weather?
Cold weather causes the air to be less humid, increasing its ability to conduct electricity. This, combined with lower temperatures causing people's skin to have lower resistance, makes it easier to shock people in cold weather.
What tests can be conducted to identify the infectious agent of meningitis?
Tests commonly conducted to identify the infectious agent of meningitis include cerebrospinal fluid analysis for cell count, protein, glucose levels, and culture, as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to detect specific genetic material of bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Blood cultures and imaging studies such as CT scans or MRIs may also be used to help identify the source of infection.
What are the drugs that are used to treat bacterial diseases called?
Most of the drugs that treat bacterial disease are called antibiotics.
Why does being cold lower your resistance to cold virus?
Exposure to cold temperatures can weaken the immune system, making it easier for viruses like the common cold to take hold and cause infection. When the body is cold, the immune response may be compromised, making it harder to fight off viruses. Additionally, cold air dries out the nasal passages, making them more susceptible to viral entry and replication.
Which cells help you get over a cold?
White blood cells, specifically T cells and B cells, play a key role in helping the body fight off a cold by recognizing and attacking the virus. They work together to create antibodies that target the virus and help the immune system remember how to fight off the same virus in the future.
What part of a virus does not enter the host?
Generally, the protein coat that surrounds the viral genetic material and any reverse trascriptase enzymes. This capsid stays outside the cell attacked while the genetic material and whatever else is needed is injected into the cell or the capsid merges with the cell membrane and the vital viral material enters the cell.
endocytosis. The envelope of the virus fuses with the host cell membrane, releasing the viral genetic material into the cell. This process allows the virus to hijack the cellular machinery to replicate and spread.
Why do your noses run in cold weather?
because of the extreme coolness,when you face is exposed to the snow your entire face becomes pink this is because of the shortage of blood .i.e when you do not put some thing warm in your face like monky cap,the blood freezes and it will be difficult for blod to circulate to all parts of the body.
i am studying in class six.
How does a latent virus reproduce?
A latent virus remains dormant in the host cell without actively reproducing. When triggered by certain factors, such as stress or a weakened immune system, the virus can reactivate and begin replicating in the host cell to produce new viral particles.
Why it is difficult to isolate drugs effective against eukaryotic microorganisms and viruses?
To find defenses against a eukaryotic microorganism is difficult because we are eukaryotic organisms and any attack on the cell of the microorganism can be an attack against our own cells. This requires a subtle approach.
Viruses have no metabolism, are not really living and do not reproduce without a host. So, they leave little open to attack in their simplicity.
Enveloped viruses are released from the host cell by?
Enveloped viruses are typically released from the host cell by budding, where the virus takes a portion of the host cell membrane as its envelope. This process does not usually cause cell lysis. Instead, the newly formed virus particles are released gradually from the cell.
Why does influenza virus cause recurrent infections?
The influenza virus doesn't always cause recurrent infections. There are many different strains of the flu and there are two types, which are Type A ad Type B. The flu is a virus that has to run its course.
What are vaccines for influenza made from?
If the influenza vaccine is to be made from a live virus, then the strain is selected, grown, and then weakened (usually chemically) to be able to trigger an immune response but not be strong enough to cause the infection. If it is to be made using a "dead" or inert virus that also does the same to trigger immune response and antibody production without causing infection, then the virus is grown and then made inactive before being used in the vaccine.
Once the virus particles needed are produced one of the two ways above, they are purified, isolated and combined with administration medium that is either for injection or for use with a mist/inhalation administration medium.
There are sometimes adjuvants added that will make a little go a long way (these are not used in the US flu vaccines). This way smaller doses are needed and so more vaccine can be distributed to more people in shorter times. This is helpful if the strain is not easily or quickly grown and vaccine is needed quickly.
There are also preservatives added to maintain the purity of the vaccine. This is needed especially in multi-dose vials that are not used entirely upon opening of the sterile vials. Single dose vials and syringes are usually available without the addition of these preservatives for people with special needs or Allergies to the preservatives.
For a full list of the common ingredients used today in flu vaccines, see the related question below about the specific ingredients in the swine flu vaccine.
Does the influenza virus readily change the expressions of its genetic material?
RNA genome of influenza virus is segmented in to 7 pieces. It has the unique property of undergoing two types of genetic variation ie antigenic drift and antigenic shift. In antigenic drift the antigenic variations are minor where genetic recombination take place between strains of two similar species whereas in antigenic shift the recombination take place between strains of dissimilar species leading to major antigenic variations and hence seasonal epidemics.
What was the great influenza epidemic?
The Great Influenza Epidemic, also known as the Spanish Flu, was a deadly global pandemic that occurred in 1918-1919. It infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide and resulted in the deaths of approximately 50 million individuals.
Influenza virus binds to its host cells through which carbohydrate moiety?
The influenza virus binds to its host cells through a carbohydrate molecule called sialic acid, which is present on the surface of the host cell receptors. The virus recognizes and binds to this sialic acid molecule to initiate the infection process.
Can you gain passive immunity against H1N1?
Theoretically it is possible to get antibodies from the serum of recovered patient of H1N1. But it will be available in very less quantity. Second question is to whom you will give these antibodies. Thirdly the protection will not be lasting. As this is passive immunity.
What do the 'H' and 'N' stand for in influenza viruses?
hemaglutinin and neuraminidase, two surface glycoproteins of influenza that contribute the the virulence of the disease...
What pathogen causes schistosomiasis?
Schistosomiasis is a major parasitic disease (also known as Bilharzia and snail fever) infecting humans and domestic livestock, and caused by several species of flatworms in the genusSchistosoma. Snails serve as the intermediary agent between mammalian hosts. Individuals within developing countries who cannot afford proper sanitation facilities are often exposed to contaminated water containing the infected snails.
