Rhinovirus Attaches to Nasal Epithelium
Placeholder: rhinovirus enters via the nose and infects epithelial cells.
- 1–3: Incubation period (days (placeholder))
- ICAM-1: Receptor used (majority of serotypes)
- ~1st wave: Cells infected (placeholder metric)
- Day 0: Onset (placeholder timeline mark)
Viral entry
Placeholder: virus binds receptors and enters epithelial cells.
Inflammatory Cytokines Trigger Congestion
Placeholder: infected cells signal the immune system via cytokines.
- IL-6/IL-8: Key cytokines (placeholder markers)
- Day 1–2: Symptom onset (placeholder timing)
- Bradykinin: Congestion driver (placeholder mediator)
- Increased: Vasodilation (placeholder effect)
Cytokine cascade
Placeholder: cytokines cause swelling and mucus production.
Symptom Severity Peaks Days 2–4
Placeholder: viral load and symptoms reach maximum intensity.
- Day 3: Peak day (placeholder average)
- Highest: Symptom score (placeholder scale)
- Peak: Viral titer (placeholder measure)
- 4+: Common symptoms (placeholder count)
Peak illness
Placeholder: congestion, sore throat, and malaise are strongest here.
Immune Cells Begin Clearing the Virus
Placeholder: neutrophils and macrophages clear infected cells.
- Day 4–5: Clearance start (placeholder onset)
- 2 main: Cell types (placeholder count)
- Rising: Antibody role (placeholder trend)
- Declining: Viral load (placeholder trend)
Active clearance
Placeholder: immune cells target and remove infected tissue.
Symptoms Resolve by Days 7–10
Placeholder: tissue repairs and symptoms fade out.
- Day 7–10: Full recovery (placeholder window)
- Possible: Residual cough (placeholder note)
- Serotype-specific: Immunity gained (placeholder scope)
- Other serotypes: Reinfection risk (placeholder caveat)
Recovery
Placeholder: epithelium regenerates and symptoms disappear.