The First Sign

[goju4ryu]

Why is the first sign of a cold usually a sore throat?

[facet]

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Edited November 1, 2019 by facet
Removed by user.

[sexyhankysneeze]

I know some people who seem to skip any real pre-warning and basically just wake up one morning congested. Before long they are usually sneezing and blowing their nose as well

[Gallatea]

The throat is sore because the rhinovirus starts by infecting throat cells. As the cells die, they release a bunch of fresh rhinoviruses to infect other cells. Your throat hurts because your throat cells are dying. The mucus you produce later is a combination of rhinovirus and your white blood cells/antibodies/other immune system junk fighting back against the cold. 

Edited February 6, 2019 by Gallatea

[SleepingPhlox]

22 minutes ago, Gallatea said:

The throat is sore because the rhinovirus starts by infecting throat cells. As the cells die, they release a bunch of fresh rhinoviruses to infect other cells. Your throat hurts because your throat cells are dying. The mucus you produce later is a combination of rhinovirus and your white blood cells/antibodies/other immune system junk fighting back against the cold. 

I never knew that about the dying cells!  I am such a huge nerd for the factual stuff like this.

[Gallatea]

Lol yup! Bio teacher... I get all the fun, juicy details when we do immunology!