Uncommon Facts About the Common Cold

The common cold touches the lives of humans more than any other viral infection, afficting at least half the population every year and accounting for millions of hours of absenteeism from work and school. The reason for its widespread distribution is not that it is more virulent or transmissi ble than other infections, but that symptoms of colds are linked to hun dreds of different viruses and viral strains. Among the known causative viruses, in order of importance, are rhinoviruses (which cause about half of all colds), paramyxoviruses, enteroviruses, coronaviruses, reoviruses and adenoviruses. A given cold can be caused by a single virus type or it can result from a mixed infection.

The name implies a relationship with cold weather or drafts. But studies in which human volunteers with wet heads or feet chilled or ex posed to moist, frigid air have failed to support such a link. Most colds occur in the late autumn, winter, and early spring all periods of colder weather but  this seasonal connection has more  to do with being confined in closed spaces with carriers than with temperature The most signifcant single factor in the spread of colds is contam ination of hands with mucous secretions. The portal of entry is the mu cous membranes of the nose and eyes. The most common symptom is a nasal discharge,  and  the  least  common  is  fever,  except  in  infants  and children.

 

Finding a cure for the common cold has been a long-standing goal of medical science. This quest is not motivated by the clinical nature of a cold, which  is  really a  rather benign  infection. A more  likely  reason  to search  for  a  “magic  cold  bullet”  is  productivity  in  the workplace  and schools, as well as the potential pro?ts from a truly effective cold drug One nonspecifc approach has been  to destroy  the virus outright and halt its spread. Special facial tissues impregnated with mild acid have been marketed for use during the cold season. After years of controversy a recent study has ?nally shown that taking megadoses of vitamin C at the onset of a cold can be beneficial. Zinc lozenges may also help retard the onset of cold symptoms The important role of natural interferon in controlling many cold viruses has led to the testing and marketing of a nasal spray containing recombinant  interferon. Another  company  is  currently  developing  a novel  therapy  based  on monoclonal  antibodies. These  antibodies  are raised to the site on the human cell (receptor) to which the rhinovirus at taches. In theory, these antibodies should occupy the cell receptor, competitively inhibit viral attachment, and prevent infection. Experiments in chimpanzees and humans showed  that, when administered  intranasally this  antibody  preparation  delayed  the  onset  of  symptoms  and  reduced their severity.