Chapter 21, Problem 1MCQ

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Common cold is called as “Rhinitis”. It is caused due to various strains of viruses belonging to groups like rhinoviruses, coronavirus, and adenovirus. It causes serious respiratory tract infections inside the human body.

Answer to Problem 1MCQ

Correct answer:

Various groups of viruses like rhinovirus and coronavirus cause respiratory tract infections leading to common cold in patients. Therefore, option (d) is correct.

Option (d) is given as “both a and b”.

Explanation of Solution

Justify reason for the correct statement:

Viruses causing common cold penetrate and invade the respiratory system. The virus-infected cells secrete a variety of chemical factors like cytokines. It causes swelling and inflammation of the epithelial lining of tissues with increased secretion of mucus from the infected cells.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Justify reasons for incorrect statements:

Option (a) is given as “rhinovirus”.

Rhinovirus and other virus strains cause infection leading to common cold. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (b) is given as “coronaviruses”.

Coronaviruses and other strains like adenovirus and rhinovirus cause common cold. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (c) is given as “influenza viruses”.

Influenza virus causes flu leading to sore throat, pain in muscles and respiratory tract infection. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (e) is given as “both a and c.”

Influenza virus causes flu with fever, pain in muscles and infection in throat. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (a), (b), (c), and (e) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Common groups of viruses that cause common cold are rhinovirus and coronavirus.