Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Treatment of the Common Cold

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that the host response to the virus is an important contributor to the pathogenesis of the common cold. Inflammatory mediators, especially the pro-inflammatory cytokines, appear to be an important component of this response and present an attractive target for new interventions for common cold therapies. Currently available treatments for the common cold have limited efficacy against specific symptoms. These therapies should be selected to treat the specific symptoms that are perceived to be the most bothersome by the patient.

Rhinovirus infections and immunisation induce cross-serotype reactive antibodies to VP1

“…Antibody responses to RV infection are not completely understood and are difficult to study in adults and children due to the fact that humans are infected within months after birth and then continuously throughout life (Turner, 1997). As a result all humans possess high levels of RV-specific antibodies that complicate studies into RV antibody-mediated immunity and vaccine development.…”

“…It has been estimated that children can get up to 12 RV infections per year and adults on average 2-5 infections (Turner, 1997). RVs exist as more than 100 serotypes and serological findings demonstrate that protective antibodies generated following infection with one serotype neutralise that serotype but provide little to no cross-protection to other serotypes (Gwaltney, 1985).…”

“…Complicating the study of antibody generation following RV infection is the fact that humans experience frequent RV infections throughout life (Turner, 1997) and therefore develop RV-specific antibodies from an early age. Recently a mouse model of RV infection was developed (Bartlett et al, 2008).…”

Broad-spectrum inhibition of common respiratory RNA viruses by a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor with involvement of the host antiviral response

“…Common viruses that cause the majority of RTIs include the influenza A virus (IAV), the influenza B virus (IBV), coronaviruses (CoV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human rhinovirus (HRV) and some enteroviruses, such as the enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) [9,10]. The latter is also the causative agent of hand, foot and mouth disease, with the potential of progressing to severe complications affecting the central nervous system [11][12][13].…”

Antibiotic Therapy for Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Diseases

“…В заболеваемости ОРВИ четко прослеживается сезонность, а механизмы передачи включают контактный путь через руки и окружающие предметы, на которые попал вирус, или же воздушно-капельный путь при непо-средственном попадании вируса на слизистые оболочки верхних дыхательных путей при чихании и кашле болею-щего человека. Как показывают исследования, наиболее часто вирус передается контактно при рукопожатиях, а наиболее эффективной профилактикой ОРВИ является частое мытье рук [5]. Течение ОРВИ легкое, может сопро-вождаться следующими симптомами: чиханием, заложен-ностью носа и выделениями из носа, першением и боля-ми в горле, кашлем, субфебрилитетом, головной болью, общим недомоганием.…”