Acute viral nasopharyngitis pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [2]
Pathophysiology
Virus
Common colds are most often caused by infection by one of the more than 100 serotypes of rhinovirus, a type of picornavirus. Other viruses causing colds are coronavirus, human parainfluenza viruses, human respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, or metapneumovirus.[1][2]
Transmission
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The common cold virus is transmitted between people by one of two ways:
- In aerosol form generated by coughing, sneezing, or
- From contact with the saliva or nasal secretions of an infected person, either directly or from contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms are not necessary for viral shedding or transmission, as a percentage of asymptomatic subjects exhibit viruses in nasal swabs.[3] The infectious period (time during which an infected person can infect others) begins about one day before symptoms begin, and continues for the first five days of the illness.
The virus enters the cells of the lining of the nasopharynx (the area between the nose and throat) and rapidly multiplies. The major entry point is normally the nose, but can also be the eyes (in this case drainage into the nasopharynx would occur through the Nasolacrimal duct).
References
- ↑ "Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Infection)". The Merck Manual Online. Merck & Co. November 2005.
- ↑ CKS (2007). "Common Cold (Topic Review)". Clinical Knowledge Summaries Service.
- ↑ "Common Cold" (PDF) (pdf). Department of Health, Government of South Australia. 2005.