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The Common Cold - Teach Science With Fergy€¦ · Web viewThe common cold starts with a sore throat and nasal stuffiness. This is followed by sneezing, cough and nasal discharge
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Hi and thanks for downloading.
This preview contains my
complete "Common Cold"
article. I’ve made it available so
you can fully see how your
resource will be structured as
well as the quality of its writing.
Please take this reading as a gift
as well as a means of
determining whether my
readings are right for you.
The Common Cold 1
Introduction: What Is The Common Cold?
The common cold, also known as a head cold or simply a
cold, is a disease of the respiratory system. It is caused by
different groups of viruses and characterized by itching in the
nose, regular sneezing, runny nose and chills. These
symptoms could be followed by an uncomfortable throat,
2. Why was it called a cold? It was named a cold due to its resemblance of the effects of cold
weather on the human being
3. What is the general name of the virus that causes the common cold? Rhinovirus.
4. Describe how a cold virus “takes hold” inside its host. First, the virus is deposited into the
nasal mucosa and eyes. Then it enters the nose via lacrimal duct. From the nose, it is
transported to the nasopharynx. After that, it gains entry into epithelial cells (cells lining the
nasopharynx) by binding with receptors. Here it starts to replicate to produce infection.
5. What is an “incubation period” and how long does it last for in the common cold? The
incubation period is the time between being exposed to the virus and the beginning of
symptoms. For a cold, this is between 1-7 days.
6. How is the cold spread? Direct contact or through the air.
7. How is a cold treated? A cold is treated by treating its symptoms including: anti-allergic,
nasal decongestants, cough suppressants, and mucus expectorants.
8. Why are antibiotics not used to treat a cold? Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections,
the cold is a viral infection.
9. What hygiene measure(s) can be used to prevent you from getting a cold? Methods such as;
hand washing with soap for a few seconds, use of alcohol-based hand rubs and use of a
household cleaner to kill virus could be applied to prevent the spread of the virus of the
common cold.
10. Which population is most likely to get sick from the common cold and how often, on average, do
they suffer from it? Infants and children – 6-8 colds per year.
11. Regarding your answer to number 10 above, explain why you think this might be the case. Why
does this population catch a cold so often?
12. Antibiotics are used too often to treat a cold even though they have absolutely no effect. From
your previous knowledge, why is the overuse of antibiotics a bad thing?
13. What will you do in the future to prevent yourself from getting sick?
The Common Cold 7
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