Review Question - QID 109057

This patient has a viral upper respiratory infection caused by the coronavirus, a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus.

The common cold is caused by the coronavirus, which is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus. It has a helical capsid and an envelope. The capsid is the structure that protects the nucleic acid and the envelope (if present) is usually derived from the plasma membrane and contains surface proteins.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 2: Single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses include the orthomyxoviruses (which include influenza) and the paramyxoviruses (which include parainfluenza and RSV). Influenza typically presents with myalgias, significant fatigue, and fever in young children. Parainfluenza is associated with croup, and this patient does not have a significant cough. RSV most commonly causes bronchiolitis in infants.

Answer 3: Double-stranded RNA viruses include rotavirus, which causes diarrhea in children.

Answer 4: Parvovirus, which causes slapped cheek rash and fifth disease in children, is a single-stranded DNA virus.

Answer 5: There are many double-stranded DNA viruses including the herpesviruses and the papillomavirus, but none of these cause the common cold.

Bullet Summary:
The “common cold” is caused by a coronavirus, which is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus with a helical capsid and envelope. Coronaviruses can also cause Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).