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Acute viral rhinopharyngitis, also known as “common cold”, is an acute, self-limiting viral infection of the upper respiratory tract involving the nose, sinuses, pharynx and larynx.
What is the rhinovirus commonly referred to as?
The rhinovirus (from the Ancient Greek: ῥίς, romanized: rhis “nose”, gen ῥινός, romanized: rhinos “of the nose”, and the Latin: vīrus) is the most common viral infectious agent in humans and is the predominant cause of the common cold.
Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses are recognized as the major causes of the common cold syndrome. The role of these viruses in more serious respiratory illnesses resulting in hospitalization is less well defined.
What is a common viral infection?
Common examples of contagious viral diseases include the flu, the common cold, HIV, and herpes. Other types of viral diseases spread through other means, such as the bite of an infected insect.
How did rhino virus get its name?
The rhinovirus receives its name because “rhino” means nose, the location where the virus typically infects. The optimal temperature for rhinovirus replication is between 33-35oC, which is about the same temperature found inside of the nose.
What causes Rhinopharyngitis?
Given the precritical terrain, the etiology of rhinopharyngitis is in three factors: pathogenic organisms, environmental irritants, and structural factors. These include nasal polyps, deviated septum, and tonsil hypertrophy. The later impairs the flow of nasal secretions through the pharynx.
Is rhinovirus the same as RSV?
Although rhinovirus infection is associated with increased risks of acute and chronic respiratory outcomes during childhood compared with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
How did rhinovirus get its name?
How many coronaviruses are found in humans?
| Human coronavirus name | Illness |
|---|---|
| SARS-CoV-2 | COVID-19 |
| SARS-CoV | Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) |
| MERS-CoV | Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) |
| HCoV-NL63 | Usually mild respiratory illness |
Is the common cold a Covid virus?
Both COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by viruses. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, while the common cold is most often caused by rhinoviruses. These viruses spread in similar ways and cause many of the same signs and symptoms.
Other common viral diseases include:
- Chickenpox.
- Flu (influenza)
- Herpes.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Infectious mononucleosis.
- Mumps, measles and rubella.
- Shingles.