Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

RebelWithoutAClue t1_ixl3ctp wrote

Reply to comment by sciguy52 in Why are we no longer contagious even if not all influenza symptoms are gone? by cazzipropri

It is interesting that so many differently named viral infections have such common symptom sets. There may be a few things like blisters on the tongue and sores on the feet, but fever, chills, coughing, headache, are super common symptoms.

Not being able to see things directly it would be reasonable to conclude that much of our observable symptoms are more of a feature of how our immune system decides to mobilize than it is about a particular viral infection.

If this is true, our system warning light may also be turning off well after the situation has actually cleared.

16

ZoomerBoomer42 t1_ixmpuhq wrote

I think it's more so that different viral infections lead to similar immune responses that then lead to common symptoms.

The coughing, sneezing, and runny nose are all symptoms of your body trying to expel irritants from your body. In the case of the flu, it's likely the inflammation from the immune response that causes these symptoms.

8

sciguy52 t1_ixo2ebd wrote

You are correct. Many (but not all) viruses stimulate a similar immune response as with the flu. Then you feel "flu like". In truth, not all flu's are caused by the flu virus. There are other viruses that can create similar symptoms to the flu. Most of the time we just don't go and check every patient, and it resolves much as the flu does. But the immunological response is similar causing similar symptoms. Same with colds by the way. Most people think there is a "cold virus". Actually colds are caused by multiple different viruses. Rhinoviruses may cause 50% or so, but what most don't realize is maybe 25% are caused by corona viruses. Yes, same family as SARS-CoV2 but a bit more distantly related at a genetic level. But the symptoms are that of a common cold. The common cold has the added symptoms of a runny nose, which again is a function of the immune response to the virus, not caused by the virus itself.

1