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Why is the common cold virus difficult to cure in humans?

Responses

It attacks white blood cells that fight off foreign bodies.
It attacks white blood cells that fight off foreign bodies. - no response given

It is caused by retroviruses that insert viral RNA into the host cell's DNA
It is caused by retroviruses that insert viral RNA into the host cell's DNA - no response given

​​​It has a viral genome that mutates very quickly.
​​​It has a viral genome that mutates very quickly. - no response given

It is a sphere with many protein receptors.

3 answers

The common cold is primarily caused by rhinoviruses and other viruses, and its difficulty in being cured is largely due to the following factors:

  1. Rapid Mutation: The most significant reason is that the common cold viruses, particularly rhinoviruses, have a high mutation rate. This allows them to change rapidly, making it challenging for the immune system to recognize and effectively target them. As a result, immunity to one strain does not confer immunity to others, leading to frequent reinfections.

  2. Diversity of Viruses: The common cold can be caused by over 200 different viruses, including rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses, and others. This variety means that even if a specific treatment is developed, it may only be effective against some strains.

  3. Immune Evasion: Some cold viruses have mechanisms that help them evade the host's immune response, allowing them to establish infections more easily.

  4. No Suitable Targets for Antiviral Drugs: Many viral infections can be treated with antivirals that target specific viral processes. However, the common cold lacks unique viral targets that can be successfully manipulated for drug design.

Given these complexities, treatment usually focuses on alleviating symptoms rather than curing the illness itself.

which one it sthe right answer

The most accurate answer from the options provided is:

It has a viral genome that mutates very quickly.

This choice highlights the significant challenge posed by the rapid mutation rates of cold viruses, making it difficult to develop effective cures or vaccines.