Rhinovirus

“Unraveling the Key to a Cold Virus’s Effectiveness”

By: Carl Zimmer

Source: New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/13/health/unraveling-the-key-to-a-cold-viruss-effectiveness.html?ref=science&_r=0

The rhinovirus is the reason why people begin to cough and sniffle during this time of the year. The rhinovirus can easily infect people. Scientists have discovered that the rhinovirus is the leading cause of infection in America because it causes about one billion people each year to catch a cold. In a conducted study, scientists at Yale University found that the rhinovirus infects humans by attacking the cold air in peoples’ nose. The rhinovirus was discovered to multiple at lower temperatures. Once a singe rhinovirus infects the nostrils, it begins to multiply as people continue to breath in cold air. In order to determine why this phenomenon occurs, Dr. Iwasaki conducted an experiment where the rhinovirus was introduced to cells at body and cold temperatures. Dr. Iwasaki found that the rhinovirus multiplied at cold temperatures, but was contained at body temperature. Dr. Iwasaki continued the research by using rats and discovered that at body temperature, the rat’s body sent signals to nearby uninfected cells that would protect them from being infected by the rhinovirus. This discovery showed scientists that the immune system begins to weaken at low temperatures. The nose is a place that is out of the immune system’s reach. This is the reason why the rhinovirus infects cells in the nose. In serious cases, the rhinovirus is linked to other health issues, such as asthma.

            People need to understand that the smallest change in our body can have significant effects. The rhinovirus attacks the nose, which is a location unaffected by the immune system. This virus finds a strategic location in the body that would keep it safe from white blood cells. People need to be cautious of their surroundings because they may encounter a virus that might significantly affect their health.