BurbleChaz

It has been suggested on occasion, by some, that I am far from underendowed in the nasal area. Setting aside any discussion of the veracity of such statements for the moment, I will admit to having been considerably focussed on this part of my anatomy for the last few days. (achoo)

Rather than do anything constructive his evening, I spent a few moments pottering around the web. It appears that the cause of my continuing distress is one of 99 serotypes of the rhinovirus genus of family picornaviridae. (achoo - oh I'm so sorry - let me wipe it off)

These little sods consist of an icosahedral capsid made of four viral proteins. They protect and nurture a tiny strand of RNA (hence, picornaviridae). The RNA is around 8 kilobases. Each base is two bits of information. You could encode an entire one of these in an average day's burbling.

It takes the human immune system a while to hone it's detection systems when presented with capsid proteins that it hasn't been exposed to before. It will then munch merrily away at them. Theoretically, the immune system should remember that particular pattern for ever. There are two factors against us here. Firstly, there are 99 different serotypes. Secondly, the virus evolves. (Ahh.... no - just caught it.)

Because of the huge number of types, and the unstopping pressure of evolution, the chance of a vaccine for this remains remote. There is also little evidence that antivirals can reduce severity or length of a cold. So, it's back to the chicken soup.

The virus can't replicate much above 34 Celsius. This is why it only affects the upper respiratory tract (I wonder if a sauna would help?). This is possibly one of the reasons why colds are associated with cold weather (I give up). Another reason for this phenomenon is that blood flow - hence immune capability - in the upper respiratory tract (OK, nose) is reduced when it's cold.

There are rumours that the most common route of transmission is direct hand-to-hand contact. Inhaling other people's airborne emissions (yuck) is a relatively minor pathway. I do not wish to know how this was tested.

Conclusions:

• Cold doesn't cause colds. Rhinoviruses do. Particularly when it's cold.
• Don't touch snotty people
• Or anybody, when the temperature is low.
• (achoo)
• Chicken soup is good

A vaccine or a cure for the common cold would be worth billions. After decades of research, including vast leaps in understanding, the entire medical and pharmaceutical industry remains baffled. By 2 kilobytes of data. Isn't biology fun?