Colds and Noses

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

I have a REALLY bad cold (be sure you have a good antivirus program ).

I'd just like to ask:

 

• Why does all of that, well, snot come out?
  
• Where does it come from?
  
• Why can my nose be clear yet I can't breathe through it?
  
• Typically one nostril is open at a time. Then suddenly it plugs up and the other opens up great. Why?
  
• Why don't we get immune to it, or make a vaccine?
  
• Just how contagious is it?
  

Thank you.

[Glider]

1) It's an immune response to histamine relased as part of the inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiritory tract.

 

2) It's principally a protein (mucin) which is produced by secretory cells of the mucous membranes.

 

3) That's a bit of an oxymoron. If you can't breathe through your nose, then it's not clear (by definition). The nasal passage extends to the back of the throat. Typically, your throat will be inflamed due to your response to the infection, so you will have trouble breathing through your nose.

 

4) Gravity. If your nose is blocked, lay on your side. You will notice that the upper-most nostril clears after a while as the mucous drains downwards.

 

5) Colds are due to a rhinovirus. These mutate, so every cold you catch is caused by a different variation of the virus. Thus, we never get the chance to become immune.

 

6) Extremely, and it's airborne (usually in aerosol, due to infected people sneezing). Your own immun competence has an effect too. If you have recently been tired, stressed or are a bit run-down, you stand a much higher chance of succumbing to it.

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

Number 6 explains a lot. I went to Canada and got only about 6 hours sleep after coming back.

 

But with number 4: I was sitting up. I understand gravity, but when you're sitting up it goes from one to the other?

 

 

Thanks for responding!

[Glider]

Which side clears, or whether one side or both sides clear, is down to chance. Gravity is the cause, but how you move your head is the determinant. Laying down on one side is just an example.

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

Thank you. Now I shall forever tilt my head in one direction...

 

Thanks!