Ever wondered why a little cold can make us feel so blah?

Let’s Break it Down

Let’s peel back what’s going on in our bodies when the sniffles hit! 🦠🤧

How it Works

1. The Sneaky Intruder 🦠 When we catch a cold, it usually starts with a virus—most often the rhinovirus. Think of it as an uninvited guest slipping in through our nose or mouth. Once inside, it quickly finds a cozy spot in our cells and starts to multiply. This invasion alerts our body to jump into defense mode!

2. The Alarm System Kicks In 🚨 Our immune system acts like a neighborhood watch, noticing the virus and releasing chemicals called cytokines—tiny proteins that act as “siren calls” to get help. These cytokines signal more immune cells to gather and fight off the virus. But here’s the catch: while cytokines help in the battle, they’re also responsible for making us feel tired and achy. 😴

3. That Stuffy, Sneezy Feeling 🤧 One of the most familiar symptoms of a cold is congestion—that clogged-up feeling in our nose. This happens because blood vessels in the nose expand as part of the immune response, causing the tissues inside to swell. It’s like our body is setting up roadblocks to slow down the virus. The sneezing? That’s our body trying to blast out unwanted particles, sending any virus nearby flying at speeds up to 100 mph! 💥💨

4. The Sore Throat Struggle 🔥 Our throat might feel sore because the virus is triggering inflammation (swelling) in our respiratory tract. This reaction can make our throat feel scratchy or painful as our immune cells fight back. Plus, we tend to swallow a lot more often to clear out the mucus, which doesn’t help the irritation!

5. Why We Feel So Tired 🛌 Lastly, our body feels drained because it’s putting a ton of energy into fighting the virus. Imagine your body as a machine shifting all resources into “battle mode,” which can leave less energy for other things. That’s why we crave rest and cozy blankets—the body’s way of saying, “Hey, I’m busy over here; let’s take it easy!” 😴☕️

By The Numbers

Impress Your Friends

Here’s one for the next time you’re at a trivia night: Rhinoviruses, which cause the common cold, can survive on surfaces for up to 24 hours! So, that doorknob might be a little busier than you think!

P.S.

If you see someone sneezing up a storm, offer them a tissue… and maybe a little space!