Common Cold Virus (Rhinovirus)

The name of the virus itself suggests the widespread nature of infection with the 120 or so members of this important family. Although most of us shake off the symptoms of sore throat, sneezing and cough, some people in the community are made seriously ill by the viruses. Patients with chronic airways disease may have an attack precipitated by an infection with Common Cold.

There are many over the counter remedies and indeed Retroscreen has contributed research to several of these including Strepsils and First Defence (P&G). New research developments are afoot with a second generation of antivirals. We are preparing a virus which can be safely be given to volunteers in our quarantine unit but meanwhile Retroscreen virologists have acquired the technical knowhow of this virus group, first grown in the laboratory at the Common Cold Unit in Salisbury nearly 50 years ago.

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