Every time I ask someone, they just go on and start talking about the cold weather and all of that. Is there a form of bacteria that's floating around that is at the top of its game in the cold weather? I just want to know about these organisms that cause it (if it is organisms and not some other kind of weird reaction). I know I sound pretty ignorant, but I'm not THAT ignorant. So don't feel the need to dumb the answers down.
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The common cold is caused strains of the Rhinovirus. They're too big to be suspended/floating in the air, although many bacteria and viruses are indeed airborne. The Rhinovirus can be transmitted through the air in droplets when someone sneezes or coughs, but it falls to the ground within a few seconds. It's also transmitted through indirect contact, which occurs when a sick person touches and contaminates a surface and another person comes along and touches the same surface.
Cold weather by itself won't necessarily make you sick, but being cold often or for extended periods of time will lower your body's ability to fight infection. That means when you come in contact with viruses or bacteria, you're more likely to get sick if your immunity is lowered. I hope this helps :)
Cold weather by itself won't necessarily make you sick, but being cold often or for extended periods of time will lower your body's ability to fight infection. That means when you come in contact with viruses or bacteria, you're more likely to get sick if your immunity is lowered. I hope this helps :)
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BTW, it is not explained elsewhere that rhino in this case is derived from the Greek for nose. A rhinoceros in a "nose-horn" (such is typical of Latin/Greek/what-have-you scientific names). Obviously, a rhinovirus is a virus which inhabits and infects the nose - specifically the mucous membranes there, and, as discovered later, also in the throat.
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A rhino virus - not a bacteria.
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A cold is a highly contagious viral infection of the mucus membrane either in the nose, throat or both. About 200 strains of it and most active in cold weather because people are indoors together.
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The common cold is caused by a virus.
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its a virus. it changes its DNA each year, thats why we don't have a vaccine or anything. yes it is a virus that causes it.
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different strains of viruses
every year there is a new/different strain
that is why we cant be immune to it
every year there is a new/different strain
that is why we cant be immune to it