We can map the human genome, clone a sheep, send a man t the moon, and even infuse bottled water with 100 percent of the daily recommended allowance of vitamins and minerals… So how is it that we still can’t cure the common cold?
It’s not as though scientists haven’t tried. It’s just that the odds are stacked against them. To begin with, at least two hundred identified viruses are capable of causing the collection of symptoms that we identify as a cold. These viruses include rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, and enteroviruses. Rhinoviruses are responsible for about 70 percent of all infections, but even among the rhinoviruses, there are many different types. Another trouble with these viruses is that they keep mutating. This makes finding a cure almost impossible.
The best hope lies with a vaccine, but with two hundred viruses that change every year, we would probably need just as many shots on a yearly basis to prevent colds. Maybe it’s better to just take some anti-inflammatories and cuddle up on the couch with a box of tissues, some chicken soup, and The Food Network.
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"How can we still not cure the common cold?" was posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 pm.